Information
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Patent Grant
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6520604
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Patent Number
6,520,604
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Date Filed
Monday, November 6, 200023 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, February 18, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 312 35
- 312 42
- 312 43
- 312 45
- 312 60
- 312 61
- 312 71
- 312 72
- 312 73
- 211 592
- 211 593
- 221 1
- 221 92
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A product housing apparatus for a vending machine, for housing therein a plurality of products arranged in the longitudinal direction, the product housing apparatus comprising: a product passage defined by a product rack horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and left and right partition walls which face each other while leaving a space therebetween in the lateral direction, are extended upward from the product rack, and are extended parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of products being housed in the product passage in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction and being abutted against each other; and a convex member which is provided between the left and right partition walls of the product rack so as to extend along the product passage and locks the plurality of products so as to be held in a laid state and in a position inclined on the lower right direction and/or the lower left direction. By virtue of this constitution, inexpensive product housing apparatus and product housing method for a vending machine are provided which can house, in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction, various products including, for example, thin products, bagged products, and wrapped products, in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction, and, at the same time, can properly and surely deliver the products.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a product housing apparatus and a product housing method for a vending machine, for housing therein a plurality of products arranged in the longitudinal direction which, at the time of selling, are pushed forward from behind to deliver a product. More particularly, the invention relates to a product housing apparatus and a product housing method for a vending machine, for housing therein, for example, thin products such as wrapping with an emblematic noshi decoration printed on it (noshi bukuro), bagged products such as snack confectionery, and wholly wrapped products (hereinafter referred to as “wrapped products”) such as box lunches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional vending machines wherein products housed in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction are pushed forward to deliver a product, particularly the so-called “see-through type vending machines” wherein a purchaser of the product can see products housed in the vending machine through a transparent front door, and that utilize a spiral member which extends spirally in the longitudinal direction, for selling the thin products or bagged products as described above. This spiral member is provided so as to have a plurality of spaces at equal pitches in the longitudinal direction, and is disposed within the product passage. Each product is housed within the product passage in a substantially stood-up position in the state of being inserted into the space in the spiral member. At the time of selling, the spiral member is rotated by substantially one turn about an axis extended in the longitudinal direction to advance products by one pitch while pushing. The rotation of the spiral member in this way permits all the products housed in the product passage to be moved forward, and, when the spiral member has been rotated at a predetermined angle, the product located at the forefront in the product passage (hereinafter referred to as “forefront product”) is delivered forward from the delivery port located at the front end of the product passage.
On the other hand, for products other than the thin products and the bagged products, for example, for canned beverage products and the above-described wrapped products, they are placed in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction on a bottom wall constituting the bottom of the product passage to house products in the product passage. All the products housed in this way are pushed from behind, for example, by means of a pusher which is driven forward along the product passage so as to be advanced forward, whereby the forefront product is delivered forward through the delivery port in the product passage.
In the vending machine provided with the spiral member, a large number of spiral members should be provided according to the size and shape of the products. Specifically, in order to properly deliver the products forward in a substantially stood-up position, it is necessary to use a spiral member which has a diameter close to the outside dimension of the product and has a space somewhat larger than the thickness of the products. Therefore, in order to sell a variety of products having various sizes and thicknesses, a plurality of types of spiral members should be provided according to the types of the products. This disadvantageously increases the cost.
Further, in the case of vending machines provided, for example, with a bucket which is moved between a position in the vicinity of the delivery port of the product passage and a product take-out port and receives the product, delivered from the product passage, at a position in the vicinity of the delivery port in the product passage, a failure to deliver is likely to occur particularly in delivering a thin product from the product passage to the bucket. More specifically, an unavoidable gap occurs between the bucket moved around the delivery port in the product passage and the delivery port in the product passage. In delivering a product having a smaller thickness than this gap, for example, a telephone card, from the product passage to the bucket, there is a fear that the product enters the gap, or otherwise the product drops downward through the gap, resulting in a failure to properly deliver the product to the bucket. It is a matter of course that the failure to deliver can be prevented by providing a mechanism which, at the time of the delivery of the product, can clog the gap, between the bucket and the delivery port in the product passage, from the upper part thereof and functions as a bridge for delivering the product from the product passage to the bucket. The provision of this mechanism disadvantageously increases the cost.
On the other hand, in vending machines provided, for example, with a pusher for pushing the product, a failure to deliver products is likely to occur for some products. Specifically, for example, when wrapped products are housed in the product passage in such a state that they are merely placed on the bottom wall in the product passage, the lower surface of the wrapped product is brought into intimate contact with the bottom wall in the product passage. This often causes large frictional force between the wrapped products and the bottom wall in the product passage. For this reason, in some cases, the pusher driving force is unsatisfactory for delivering the wrapped products, even though this driving force suffices for advancing canned beverage products or the like. In this case, the wrapped products cannot be properly advanced. As a result, a failure to deliver the products occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been made with a view to solving the above problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the invention to provide inexpensive product housing apparatus and product housing method for a vending machine which can house, in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction, various products including, for example, thin products, bagged products, and wrapped products, in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction, and, at the same time, can properly and surely deliver the products.
According to the first feature of the invention, there is provided a product housing apparatus for a vending machine, for housing therein a plurality of products arranged in the longitudinal direction which, at the time of selling, are pushed forward from behind to deliver a product, said product housing apparatus comprising:
a product passage defined by a bottom wall horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and left and right side walls which face each other while leaving a space therebetween in the lateral direction, are extended upward from the bottom wall and, at the same time, are extended parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of products being housed in the product passage in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction and being abutted against each other; and
a product locking section which is provided between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall so as to extend along the product passage and locks the plurality of products so as for the products to be held in a laid state and in a position inclined in the lower right direction and/or the lower left direction.
According to this construction, a plurality of products to be arranged in the longitudinal direction for housing in the state of being abutted against each other in a product passage defined by the bottom wall and the left and right side walls are locked by a product locking section provided between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall. This permits the products to be held in a laid state and in a position inclined in the lower right direction and/or the lower left direction. More specifically, for example, {circle around (1)} two products abutted against each other are housed in the product passage so as to cross each other by locking two products abutted against each other in such a manner that one of the two products is held in a position inclined in the lower right direction while the other product is held in a position inclined in the lower left direction (hereinafter referred to as “cross housing”). Alternatively, {circle around (2)} all the products are locked so as to be held in a position inclined in an identical direction, that is, the lower right direction or the lower left direction, at substantially the same angle to house them in the product passage (hereinafter referred to as “identically inclined housing”). At the time of selling, the plurality of products housed in the product passage in this way are pushed forward from behind, whereby, while maintaining the position in the housed state, the products are moved forward along the product passage while being guided by the locking section, and then delivered.
As described above, the plurality of products housed in the product passage are housed in a laid state and in a position inclined in the lower right direction and/or the lower left direction. In particular, when the products to be housed are thin products, these products are housed by cross housing. By virtue of this, simply pushing these products forward from behind permits the products to be delivered from the product passage. Therefore, unlike the prior art, even when products to be housed are thin products or bagged products, there is no need to provide a large number of types of spiral members according to the products housed in the product passage. As a result, a product housing apparatus, which can house various products including thin products and bagged products, can be realized at low cost. Further, when the bucket is moved to the vicinity of the delivery port in the front end of the product passage to receive the product delivered from the product passage and, at the same time, when the product is a thin product or a bagged product, the product is delivered while being moved forward by at least the depth in a laid state (the lateral width or longitudinal width of the product). Further, at that time, since the depth is generally larger than the gap between the bucket and the delivery port, for example, the entry of the product into the gap can be surely prevented. This permits the product to be properly and surely delivered (handed) to the forward bucket. Further, even when the product to be housed in the product passage is a product which, when housed by merely placing the product on the bottom wall, causes large frictional force between the product and the bottom wall, such as wrapped products, the frictional force can be significantly reduced by housing the product in a position inclined in the lower right direction or the lower left direction, because the product comes into line contact with the bottom wall to give a very small contact area. As a result, as compared with the prior art, wrapped products and the like can be smoothly and surely delivered forward, and, thus, a failure to deliver products can be prevented.
In the product housing apparatus according to the first feature of the invention, preferably, the product locking section comprises a convex which is projected upward from the bottom wall and locks the plurality of products.
According to this construction, the product locking section can be constituted by a convex projected upward from the bottom wall and having a simple construction in a low-cost and simple manner.
In this product housing apparatus, preferably, the convex is disposed at a substantially center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
According to this construction, a convex is disposed at a substantially center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall. Therefore, products abutted against each other can be allowed to cross each other in the vicinity of the upper end of the convex, and housed orderly within the product passage symmetrically with respect to the left and right about the convex.
In the above product housing apparatus, preferably, the convex is constructed so as to be detachable from the bottom wall and attachable to a plurality of positions between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
According to this construction, the convex is detachable to the bottom wall, and is attachable to a plurality of positions of the bottom wall in the lateral direction. Therefore, the form of housing can be freely and easily switched between cross housing and identically inclined housing, for example, according to the size or shape of the product to be housed. Specifically, when a convex is mounted on a center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall, the products can be housed by the cross housing, while when the convex is mounted at a position which is closer to any one of the left and right side walls than the other side wall, the products can be housed by the identically inclined housing. Further, since the convex is detachable from the bottom wall, when products which require neither cross housing nor identically inclined housing, for example, products which can be placed in a self-stood-up position on the bottom wall, such as canned beverage products, are housed in the product passage, the removal of the convex from the bottom wall can easily cope with this.
In any one of the above product housing apparatuses, preferably, the surface of the convex is formed of a material having a sliding property.
According to this constitution, the surface of the convex has a sliding property. Therefore, when the products locked by the convex are pushed forward from behind, they can be smoothly delivered forward.
In the product housing apparatus according to the first feature of the invention, preferably, the product locking section comprises a concave which is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall and functions to lock the lower end of the plurality of products housed in the inclined position in the product passage.
According to this construction, the product locking section for locking the lower end of the plurality of products housed in an inclined position can be formed by the concave having a simple structure provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall in a low-cost and simple manner.
In the above product housing apparatus, preferably, the concave is provided at a substantially center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
According to this construction, a concave is provided at a substantially center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall. Therefore, products abutted against each other can be allowed to cross each other in the concave, and housed orderly within the product passage symmetrically with respect to the left and the right about the concave.
In the above product housing apparatus, two concaves may be provided, symmetrically with respect to the left and the right, between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
According to this construction, locking a product in its lower end in the left concave out of the two concaves provided symmetrically with respect to the left and the right permits the product to be housed in a position inclined in the lower left direction, while locking another product in its lower end in the right concave permits this product to be housed in a position inclined in the lower right direction. This enables the products abutted against each other to be easily housed by cross housing and, at the same time, the products to be orderly housed symmetrically with respect to the left and the right.
In any one of the above product housing apparatuses, preferably, at least one of the left and right side walls is constructed so as to be detachable from the bottom wall and attachable to a plurality of positions in the lateral direction of the bottom wall.
According to this construction, at least one of the left and right side walls is detachable to the bottom wall, and is attachable to a plurality of positions of the bottom wall in the lateral direction. Therefore, the width in the lateral direction of the product passage can be freely and easily increased or reduced, for example, according to the size or shape of the product to be housed in the product passage.
Preferably, the above product housing apparatus further comprises a detachable cover which is extended in the longitudinal direction along the left and right side walls and covers, from the product passage side, a gap between the bottom wall and at least one of the left and right side walls.
According to this construction, even when a gap occurs between the bottom wall and the left or right side wall at the time of mounting of the left and right side walls on the bottom wall, the covering of the gap with a cover from the product passage side can surely prevent accidental entry of the product in its end (a front end in the case of thin products, and a double leaved ear portion in the case of bagged products) into the gap at the time of housing or delivery of products.
In the above product housing apparatus, the cover on its surface of the product passage side is preferably formed of a material having a sliding property.
According to this construction, since the surface of the cover on its product passage side has a sliding property, the product housed in contact with the cover can be smoothly advanced by pushing the product forward from behind.
Any one of the above product housing apparatuses may further comprise a product delivery sensor which comprises a light emitting device and a photodetector located around a delivery port of the front end of the product passage and provided so as to horizontally face each other in the lateral direction and detects the delivery of a product from the product passage based on whether or not light from the light emitting device has been received by the photodetector.
According to this construction, the product delivery sensor comprising the light emitting device and the photodetector detects a product which is delivered while maintaining the position provided at the time of housing. Specifically, the detection is made based on whether or not, in passing the product, which is in a laid state and held in a position inclined in the lower right direction or the lower left direction, through between the light emitting device and the photodetector, the photodetector has received light from the light emitting device. In this case, for example, when the product to be delivered is a thin product, the height of the product in the vertical direction is larger by the degree of inclination than that in the case where the product is delivered in the horizontally laid state. Accordingly, the delivery of this product can be surely detected by properly setting the angle of inclination of the product so as to apply light from the light emitting device to the product.
According to the second feature of the invention, there is provided a product housing method for a vending machine, for housing a plurality of products which are abutted against each other and arranged in the longitudinal direction in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and, at the time of selling, are pushed forward from behind to deliver a product, wherein
one of the plurality of the products is housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined in one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction, and
the other product abutted against said one product is housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined in the other direction.
According to this construction, when a plurality of products are housed in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction, one of the plurality of products is first housed in a laid state and in a position inclined in any one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction. Next, on the front or rear side of the one product, another product is abutted against this one product, and housed in a laid state and in a position inclined in other direction. That is, in housing the plurality of products, they are successively arranged in the longitudinal direction in a laid state and in positions inclined alternately in the lower right direction and the lower left direction (cross housing). This cross housing permits the plurality of products housed in the product passage to be delivered from the product passage by simply pushing the products forward from behind. Therefore, even when products to be housed in the product passage are thin products or bagged products, unlike the prior art technique, various products including thin products and bagged products can be housed without utilizing a large number of types of spiral members according to the products housed in the product passage.
Further, when the bucket is moved to the vicinity of the delivery port in the front end of the product passage to receive the product delivered from the product passage and, at the same time, when the product is a thin product or a bagged product, housing the products in the product passage by the cross housing permits the product to be delivered while being moved forward by at least the depth in a laid state (the lateral width or longitudinal width of the product). Further, at that time, since the depth is generally larger than the gap between the bucket and the delivery port, for example, the entry of the product into the gap can be surely prevented. This permits the product to be properly and surely delivered forward. Further, even when the product to be housed in the product passage is a product which, when housed by merely placing the product on the bottom wall constituting the bottom of the product passage, causes large frictional force between the product and the bottom wall, such as wrapped products, the cross housing of the products can significantly reduce the frictional force, because the product comes into line contact with the bottom wall to give a very small contact area. As a result, as compared with the prior art, wrapped products and the like can be smoothly and surely delivered forward, and, thus, a failure to deliver products can be prevented.
According to the third feature of the invention, there is provided a product housing method for a vending machine, for housing a plurality of products which are abutted against each other and arranged in the longitudinal direction in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and, at the time of selling, are pushed forward from behind to deliver a product, wherein
the plurality of products are housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined at substantially the same angle in any one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction.
According to this construction, when a plurality of products are housed in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction, they are arranged in the longitudinal direction in the state of being abutted against each other and, at the same time, are successively housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined at substantially the same angle in any one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction (identically inclined housing). Therefore, even when the plurality of products to be housed in the product passage are thin products or bagged products, the adoption of the identically inclined housing method permits various products including thin products and bagged products to be housed without utilizing the spiral member, as with the product housing apparatus according to the second feature of the invention. In addition, products can be properly and surely delivered forward. Further, even when the product to be housed in the product passage is, for example, a wrapped product, the product can be smoothly and surely delivered forward, and, thus, a failure to deliver products can be prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view showing a vending machine with the product housing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention being incorporated therein;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view showing thin products housed by cross housing in a product passage of the product housing apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of and around the product passage shown in
FIG. 2
, cut in the lateral direction;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view showing the start of the delivery of a product after the movement of a bucket in front of a delivery port of the product passage at the time of selling;
FIG. 5
is a perspective view showing wrapped products housed in a product passage by identically inclined housing, which illustrates the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6
is a schematic cross-sectional view showing, in a cut state, a portion of or around the product passage shown in
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 7
is a schematic cross-sectional view showing products housed by cross housing in a product passage having two convex members provided, symmetrically with respect to the left and the right, between left and right partition walls of a product rack, which illustrates the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8
is a diagram illustrating the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein
FIG. 8A
is a schematic cross-sectional view showing products housed by cross housing in a product passage having a single concave provided between left and right partition walls of a product rack, and
FIG. 8B
a schematic cross-sectional view showing products housed by cross housing in a product passage having two left and right concaves provided between left and right partition walls of a product rack; and
FIG. 9
is a diagram illustrating the product housing method according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein
FIG. 9A
is a schematic cross-sectional view showing products which have been leaned against partition walls and housed by cross housing, and
FIG. 9B
a schematic cross-sectional view showing products which have been leaned against partition walls and housed by identically inclined housing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1
shows a vending machine with the product housing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention being incorporated therein. A vending machine
1
shown in the drawing is of the so-called “showcase type” wherein various products S including thin products, bagged products, and wrapped products are housed in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction within a large box-shaped vending machine body
2
and, in addition, the products S are seen through transparent front doors
3
,
3
. The vending machine
1
comprises: the vending machine body
2
; a product housing apparatus
4
for storing products S; a product carry-out device
5
for carrying out products S at the time of selling; and the like.
In the vending machine body
2
, two left and right doors
3
,
3
are mounted on the opened front face. The doors
3
each are usually locked in a closed state, and are opened, for example, at the time of the supplement of products S so that the products S are supplemented from the front. A cooling unit
6
for cooling the products S is provided on the top of the vending machine body
2
. On the right side of the front doors
3
,
3
are provided a product take-out port
7
, a card slot
8
for inserting a prepaid card or the like at the time of purchase of a product S and a cash inlet port (not shown) for putting a cash into the vending machine, and a control panel
9
comprising a selection button (not shown) for inputting product numbers assigned respectively to the products S and a display unit (not shown), for example, for displaying the input product number and the balance in a card. A control circuit (not shown) comprising a microcomputer for performing various types of control within the vending machine body
2
including the product carry-out device
5
is provided on the backside of the control panel
9
.
The product housing apparatus
4
is in a box form and comprises: two left and right product storing chambers
11
,
11
of which the front face is opened; a plurality of product racks
12
(bottom walls) which are horizontally supported between left and right side walls in each of the product storing chamber
11
and are provided in the vertical direction; and a plurality of partition walls
13
(side walls) which are mounted in the lateral direction on each product rack
12
at predetermined intervals, are extended upward, and are extended in the longitudinal direction parallel to each other. A product passage
14
is defined by the product rack
12
and the partition walls
13
,
13
which are mounted on the product rack
12
and faces each other in the lateral direction (see FIGS.
2
and
3
). A plurality of product passage
14
of this type are provided on the product rack
12
. A large number of products S of the same item are housed in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction in each product passage
14
.
In the product storing chamber
11
on the left side, an adiabatic wall (not shown) is provided between two lowermost located product racks
12
,
12
and a product rack
12
located above these two product racks
12
,
12
, and a space, wherein the two lowermost located product racks
12
,
12
are provided, is a room temperature chamber. Products which are not required to be cooled, for example, thin products such as wrapping with an emblematic noshi decoration printed on it (noshi bukuro), and bagged products such as snack confectionery, are housed in each product passage
14
in the room temperature chamber.
FIG. 2
shows thin products which have been housed by cross housing in a product passage
14
in a room temperature chamber, and
FIG. 3
schematically shows the product passage
14
shown in
FIG. 2
, cut in the lateral direction. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the partition wall
13
comprises: a partition wall body
21
extended in the longitudinal direction; a front mounting section
22
and a rear mounting section
23
which are mounted respectively on the front end and the rear end of the partition wall body
21
and are adapted for mounting the partition wall
13
per se on the product rack
12
; a pusher
24
which is provided so as to face the product passage
14
from the right side face of the partition wall body
21
and, upon forward movement, pushes the products S housed in the product passage
14
forward from behind; and a pusher drive mechanism
25
for driving this pusher
24
forward.
The partition wall body
21
is formed of an aluminum extruded section, and two upper and lower grooves (an upper groove
21
a
and a lower groove
21
b
), which are extended parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and are opened on the right side, are provided on the right side face. The pusher
24
is slidably fitted into the upper groove
21
a
. On the other hand, a timing belt
26
for the pusher drive mechanism
25
described below is disposed within the lower groove
21
b.
The front mounting section
22
and the rear mounting section
23
each are formed of, for example, a resin or a hard rubber, and are constructed so as to be attachable to and detachable from the front end of the product rack
12
and a back wall
12
a
in the rear end of the product rack
12
. More specifically, the front mounting section
22
is mounted on the front end of the product rack
12
by inserting from the front a front wall
12
b
of the product rack
12
into a fitting section
22
a
provided on the lower end of the front mounting section
22
and having a “⊃” shape in its side section so as to be sandwiched between the upper and lower parts of the fitting section
22
a
. On the other hand, a large number of through holes
12
c
are provided at predetermined pitches in the lateral direction on the upper end and the lower end of the back wall
12
a
in the product rack
12
. Two upper and lower projections (not shown) provided on the rear end face of the rear mounting section
23
are inserted respectively into the two upper and lower through holes
12
c
,
12
c
to mount the rear mounting section
23
on the back wall
12
a
of the product rack
12
. Thus, the partition wall
13
is attachable to and detachable from the product rack
12
, and is attachable to a plurality of positions in the lateral direction on the product rack
12
. Therefore, the mounting position of one of or both the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
can be varied, for example, according to the size or shape of products S to be housed in the product passage
14
to freely set the lateral width of the product passage
14
.
The pusher
24
comprises a plate pusher body
27
and a pusher support
28
which supports the pusher body
27
, can be slidably fitted into the upper groove
21
a
of the partition wall body
21
, and is fixed to the timing belt
26
within the lower groove
21
b
. Therefore, the pusher
24
is movable in the longitudinal direction along the upper groove
21
a
in the partition wall body
21
, and, while being moved forward upon the rotation of the timing belt
26
in a predetermined direction, the pusher
24
pushes the products S housed in the product passage
14
forward from behind.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, when the width in the lateral direction of the product passage
14
is so large that the products S cannot be property pushed by the pusher body
27
alone, a pusher adapter
27
a
is mounted on the pusher body
27
. This pusher adapter
27
a
has an “L” shape in its side section, and is extended toward the right side from the center portion between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
.
The pusher drive mechanism
25
comprises: a front gear
31
and a rear gear
32
rotatably mounted respectively on the front mounting section
22
and the rear mounting section
23
; and the timing belt
26
wrapped and placed around these gears
31
,
32
. The front gear
31
comprises a double spur gear of a large diameter and a small diameter. The large-diameter spur gear faces the exterior from the front end of the front mounting section
23
, while the timing belt
26
is wrapped and placed around the small-diameter spur gear. On the other hand, the rear gear
32
is formed so as to have the same pitch as the small-diameter spur gear in the front gear
31
. Therefore, upon the rotation of the large-diameter spur gear in the front gear
31
by means of a drive mechanism
46
provided in a bucket
43
described later, the timing belt
26
is rotated in a predetermined direction. This permits the pusher
24
to be moved forward, whereby a product S located at the forefront is delivered forward from a delivery port
14
a
located at the front end of the product passage
14
.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, a convex member
33
(a product locking section, a convex) for housing the products S by cross housing is provided at the lower end of the product passage (a product passage on the right side)
14
housing therein thin products S. This convex member
33
is extended in the longitudinal direction along the product passage
14
, and, at the same time, has a reverse “U” shape in a laterally cut section. The surface of the convex member
33
is formed of a material having a sliding property. Further, the convex member
33
is constructed so that the convex member
33
is attachable to and detachable from the surface of the product rack
12
by fitting the front end
33
a
and the rear end
33
b
of the convex member
33
respectively into the lower through hole
12
c
in the front wall
12
b
and the lower through hole
12
c
in the back wall
12
a
when the convex member
33
is attached to the product rack
12
, and by removing the front end
33
a
and the rear end
33
b
of the convex member
33
respectively from the lower through hole
12
c
in the front wall
12
b
and the lower through hole
12
c
in the back wall
12
a
when the convex member
33
is detached from the product rack
12
. That is, as with the partition wall
13
, the convex member
33
is constructed to be attachable to a plurality of positions in the lateral direction. The convex member
33
having this construction is disposed at substantially the center between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
.
Covers
34
,
34
having an “L” shape in its section for covering the gap between the product rack
12
and the partition wall
13
from the product passage
14
side are provided respectively at left and right corners in the lower end of the product passage
14
housing therein thin products S. Each of the covers
34
comprises: a first cover piece
34
a
which is extended in the longitudinal direction along the partition wall
13
and is extended upward along the partition wall
13
in its face on the product passage
14
side; and a second cover piece
34
b
which continues from the lower end of the first cover piece
34
a
and is extended horizontally along the top surface of the product rack
12
. The surface of the first and second cover pieces
34
a
,
34
b
on their product passage
14
side is formed of a material having a sliding property. Each cover
34
is constructed so that the cover
34
is attachable to and detachable from the surface of the product rack
12
in the same manner as described in connection with the convex member
33
, that is, by fitting the front end and the rear end of the second cover piece
34
b
respectively into the front wall
12
b
and the back wall
12
a
when the cover
34
is attached to the product rack
12
, and by removing the front end and the rear end of the second cover piece
34
b
respectively from the front wall
12
b
and the back wall
12
a
when the cover
34
is detached from the product rack
12
. The cover
34
is constructed so as to be attachable to a plurality of positions in the lateral direction. Therefore, each cover
34
is mountable on the product rack
12
according to the position where the partition wall
13
is disposed. In this case, the first cover piece
34
a
and the second cover piece
34
b
are mounted so as to come into intimate contact respectively with the partition wall
13
and the product rack
12
. These covers
34
,
34
can surely prevent accidental entry of the product S in its end (a front end in the case of thin products, and a double leaved ear portion in the case of bagged products) into the gap between the product rack
12
and the partition wall
13
at the time of housing of products S in the product passage
14
or delivery of products S.
Thin products S are cross housed in the product passage
14
(the product passage on the right side in FIG.
2
), wherein the convex member
33
and the covers
34
,
34
are mounted on the product rack
12
, by the following method. Specifically, at the outset, in one product S out of a plurality of products S to be housed, one end in the lateral direction of the one product S is abutted against the cover
34
, while the one product S in its end opposite to the above one end with the center of gravity of the one product S being located between both ends of the one product S is abutted against the convex member
33
from its upper part. Thus, the product S is housed in the product passage
14
. This permits one product S to be locked by the convex member
33
and the cover
34
and to be housed in a laid state while being held in a position inclined in one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction.
Next, another product S is abutted against the one product S on its front side or rear side, and, in addition, one end in the lateral direction of the another product S is abutted against the cover
34
opposite to the cover
34
abutted against the one product. At the same time, the another product S in its end opposite to the above one end with the center of gravity of the another product S being located between both ends of the another product S is abutted against the convex member
33
from its upper part. Thus, the another product S is housed in the product passage
14
. This permits the another product S to be also locked by the convex member
33
and the cover
34
and to be housed in a laid state while being held in a position inclined in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the one product.
The above two steps are alternately repeated to successively house products S in the product passage, whereby a plurality of products S are cross housed in the product passage
14
.
The plurality of products S housed in each product passage
14
are carried to the product take-out port
7
by means of a product carry-out device
5
disposed in front of the product storing chambers
11
,
11
. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the product carry-out device
5
comprises: a Y module
41
which is provided in front of the product storing chamber
11
so as to be movable in the lateral direction; a mechanism for driving in a direction X (not shown) which drives the Y module
41
in the lateral direction; and the like. The Y module
41
comprises: a movable body
42
which is in a vertically extended oblong box form and is laterally driven by means of the mechanism for driving in the direction X; a bucket
43
which is provided in a projected state on the right side face of the movable body
42
and is vertically movable with respect to the movable body
42
; and a mechanism for driving in a direction Y (not shown) which is built in the movable body
42
and drives the bucket
43
in the vertical direction with respect to the movable body
42
.
At the time of selling, the bucket
43
is vertically and laterally moved by the mechanism for driving in direction X and the mechanism for driving in direction Y, receives the product S, delivered from the product passage
14
, around the delivery port
14
a
in the product passage
14
, and conveys and carries the delivered product S to the product take-out port
7
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the bucket
43
comprises: a box-shaped bucket body
45
having a product housing opening
44
which has been opened largely toward the back side; a drive mechanism
46
for driving the pusher drive mechanism
25
or the like; and the like. The drive mechanism
46
has two motors
47
a
,
47
b
and a drive gear
48
which, upon the operation of these motors
47
a
,
47
b
at the time of selling, is projected toward the back of the rear end of the bucket body
45
and is rotatively driven. A triangular drum
49
, which is extended horizontally in the lateral direction and a triangular shape in its side section, is provided at the rear end of the bucket body
45
so as to face the product housing opening
44
from the underside. This triangular drum
49
is constructed so as to be rotatively driven by means of a motor
47
b
, and, in delivering a product S, is rotated so as to be delivered forward while supporting the product S from its underside, whereby the product S is efficiently housed within the bucket body
45
.
Further, a product delivery sensor
51
for detecting the completion of the delivery of the delivered product S to the bucket
43
is provided at a position in the rear end of the bucket body
45
and somewhat above the triangular drum
49
. This product delivery sensor
51
comprises a pair of photosensor comprising a light emitting device
52
and a photodetector
53
. Both the devices
52
,
53
horizontally face each other, and are mounted respectively on the left and right side walls
45
a
,
45
a
of the bucket body
45
so that light from the light emitting device
52
is received by the photodetector
53
. When the bucket
43
receives the product S, that is, when the product S passes through between the light emitting device
52
and the photodetector
53
, light applied from the light emitting device
53
toward the photodetector
53
is once cut off by the product S being passed. Thereafter, the photodetector
53
again receives the light. This is the time when the delivery of the product S to the bucket
23
has been completed. The completion of the delivery is recognized by the control circuit (not shown).
At the time of selling, upon the operation of the product carry-out device
5
provided with the bucket
43
having the above construction, a product S located at the forefront out of the plurality of products S housed in the product passage
14
is first housed in the bucket
43
. More specifically, the bucket
43
is first moved to and stopped at a position around the delivery port
14
a
of the product passage
14
housing a product S selected by the purchaser. The drive gear
48
engages with the front gear
31
in the pusher drive mechanism
25
, and is rotated in a predetermined direction to drive the pusher
24
forward, whereby a plurality of products S housed in the product passage
14
are pushed forward from behind by the pusher
24
. In this case, as shown in
FIGS. 2
to
4
, the products S housed in the product passage
14
by cross housing is pushed forward by the pusher
24
in such a state that.one end in the lateral direction and a portion opposite to the one end with the center of gravity being located between both the ends are locked by any one of the left and right covers
34
and the convex member
33
. Therefore, while the products S are guided by the cover
34
and the convex member
33
, they are delivered forward, with the position provided at the time of housing of the products being maintained, without causing a trouble such that products located in the rear run on or are slipped under products located in the front. The product S located in the forefront is delivered forward through the delivery port
14
a
of the product passage
14
. As soon as the product delivery sensor
51
detects the receipt and housing of the forefront product S in the bucket
43
through the product housing opening
44
, the rotation of the drive gear
48
is stopped to stop the forward movement of the pusher
24
.
Thereafter, the bucket
43
housing therein products S is moved in the rear of the product take-out port
7
, and a bucket door
45
b
provided in the front face is opened to carry the product S to the product take-out port
7
.
As described above in detail, according to the product housing apparatus
4
and product housing method according to the above preferred embodiment, when a plurality of products S are housed in the product passage
14
, the convex member
33
mounted on the product rack
12
permits these products S to be housed by cross housing wherein the products S are arranged in the longitudinal direction in a laid state and in such a position that the products S are inclined alternately in the lower right direction and in the lower left direction. By virtue of the housing in this way, the products S can be delivered from the product passage
14
by simply pushing the products S from behind, without causing a trouble such that products located in the rear run on or are slipped under products located in the front. Therefore, unlike the prior art, even when products to be housed are thin products or bagged products, there is no need to provide a large number of types of spiral members according to the products housed in the product passage. As a result, a product housing apparatus
4
, which can house various products including thin products and bagged products, can be realized at low cost. Further, in delivering a thin product S from a delivery port
14
a
in the product passage
14
, the product S is delivered while being moved forward by at least the lateral width or the longitudinal width. In this case, since the lateral width or the longitudinal width is generally larger than the gap between the bucket
43
and the delivery port
14
a
, for example, the entry of the product S into the gap can be surely prevented, permitting the product S to be properly and surely delivered (handed) to a bucket
43
in front. Further, even when products S to be housed in the product passage
14
are those which, when housed merely in a laid state on the product rack
12
, cause large frictional force between the products and the product rack
12
, such as wrapped products, housing of the products S by the cross housing can significantly reduce the frictional force, because the products S come into line contact with the product rack
12
(cover
34
) to give a very small contact area. As a result, as compared with the prior art, wrapped products and the like can be smoothly and surely delivered forward, and, thus, a failure to deliver products can be prevented.
Further, since the convex member
33
has a simple structure, the product locking section for cross housing products S can be simply constructed at low cost. In addition, the surface of the convex member
33
and the surface of the cover
34
on its product passage
14
side have a sliding property. Therefore, in pushing the product S locked by the convex member
33
and the cover
34
by means of the pusher
24
, the product S can be smoothly delivered forward. Further, since the convex member
33
is disposed at a substantially center portion between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
in the product rack
12
, products S abutted against each other can be allowed to cross each other around the upper end of the convex member
33
, and can be orderly housed symmetrically about the convex member
33
with respect to the left and the right.
When the product delivery sensor
51
provided on the bucket
43
detects a product S delivered through the delivery port
14
a
in the product passage
14
, the product S is delivered in a laid state and in a position inclined in the lower right direction or in the lower left direction. Therefore, the delivery of the product can be surely detected as compared with the detection of the product delivered in a horizontally laid state.
Next, the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the second preferred embodiment of, the invention will be explained in conjunction with
FIGS. 5 and 6
. The second preferred embodiment can be applied to housing of wrapped products, for example, packed lunches, in the product passage
14
by identically inclined housing. This product housing apparatus is the same as the product housing apparatus
4
according to the first preferred embodiment, except that the convex member
33
is provided at a position closer to the left partition wall
13
than the right partition wall.
When a plurality of products S are housed in this product housing apparatus
4
, the right end in one of the plurality of products S is abutted against the right cover
34
, while the left end is abutted against the convex member
33
from its upper part, thereby housing the one product S in the product passage
14
. This permits the one product S to be housed in such a state that the one product S is locked by the convex member
33
and the right cover
34
and is held in a laid state and in a position inclined in the lower right direction. Next, another product S is housed in the same manner as used in the one product S in such a state that the another product S is abutted against the one product S on its front or rear side. Thus, as with the one product S, the another product S is locked by the convex member
33
and the right cover
34
and is housed in the state of being held in a position inclined at an angle substantially identical to the inclination angle of the one product S. Products S are successively housed in this way, whereby a plurality of products S are housed in the product passage
14
by identically inclined housing.
As with the first preferred embodiment, in the second preferred embodiment, the plurality of products S housed in the product passage
14
by identically inclined housing in the lower right direction are pushed forward from behind by the pusher
24
and consequently are delivered forward. More specifically, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, each product S housed in the product passage
14
is pushed forward by the pusher
24
in such a state that the right end and the left end are locked respectively by the right cover
34
and the convex member
33
. Therefore, while maintaining the position provided at the time of housing, the products S are delivered forward while being guided by the right cover
34
and the convex member
33
. Since each product S has certain thickness (substantial height in the vertical direction of the product), the product S can be advanced without causing a trouble such that, at the time of pushing by the pusher
24
, products located in the rear run on or are slipped under products located in the front. The forefront product S is delivered forward through the delivery port
14
a
in the product passage
14
, and handed to the bucket
43
.
The product housing apparatus
4
and product housing method according to this preferred embodiment have the following effects in addition to substantially the same effect as attained by the first preferred embodiment. Specifically, since the convex member
33
is disposed at a position closer to the left partition wall
13
than the right partition wall
13
, the inclination angle of the product S can be made smaller as compared with the housing of products by cross housing according to the first preferred embodiment. Therefore, in the case of products which, when housed in an inclined state, cause the contents to be easily crumbled, housing these products by the identically inclined housing method can suppress the crumbling of the contents.
The convex member
33
may be disposed at a position closer to the right partition wall
13
than the left partition wall to house products S by identically inclined housing in the lower left direction. Also in this case, the same effect as attained by the identically inclined housing in the lower right direction can be attained. Further, the product housing apparatus
4
and product housing method according to this preferred embodiment can be applied to the housing of the above-described wrapped product, as well as to the housing of thin products and bagged products. In this case, preferably, the products have certain thickness (height) from the viewpoint of avoiding such a trouble that, at the time of pushing by means of the pusher
24
, products located in the rear run on or are slipped under products located in the front.
As described above, the convex member
33
is attachable to and detachable from the product rack
12
, and can be attached to a plurality of positions in the lateral direction of the product rack
12
. Therefore, the housing method can be freely and easily switched between cross housing and identically inclined housing according to the size and shape of the product S to be housed. Specifically, mounting the convex member
33
at a substantially center portion between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
in the product rack
12
enables products S to be cross housed. On the other hand, mounting the convex member
33
at a position closer to one of the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
than the other partition wall enables products S to be housed by identically inclined housing. Further, since the convex member
33
is detachably mounted on the product rack
12
, the removal of the convex member
33
from the product rack
12
suffices for housing of products which require neither cross housing nor identically inclined housing, for example, canned beverage products which can be housed in the product passage
12
by placing them in a self-stood-up state on the product rack
12
.
Next, the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained in conjunction with FIG.
7
. According to this preferred embodiment, two convex members
33
,
33
are disposed symmetrically with respect to the left and the right between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
in the product rack
12
. The product housing apparatus according to the third preferred embodiment is different from the product housing apparatus
4
according to the first preferred embodiment in this point only.
When a plurality of products S are housed in this product housing apparatus
4
, for example, one product S in its left end is first abutted against a corner defined by the left convex member
33
and the product rack
12
, while the right end is leaned against the right partition wall
13
. This permits the one product S to be housed in the state of being locked by the left convex member
33
and the right partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower left direction. Another product S is then abutted against the one product S on its front or rear side, and, at the same time, the another product S in its right end is abutted against a corner defined by the right convex member
33
and the product rack
12
while the left end is leaned against the left partition wall
13
. Thus, the another product S is housed in the product passage in the state of being locked by the right convex member
33
and the left partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower right direction. The above two steps are alternately repeated to successively house products S in the product passage, whereby a plurality of products S are cross housed in the product passage
14
.
Accordingly, the product housing apparatus
4
and product housing method according to this preferred embodiment also have substantially the same effect as the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the first preferred embodiment.
Next, the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in conjunction with FIG.
8
. The product housing apparatus
4
according to this embodiment is the same as the product housing apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment, except that, instead of the convex member
33
in the first preferred embodiment, a single concave
54
as a product locking section is provided at a substantially center portion between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
in the product rack
12
(see FIG.
8
A), or that two concaves
54
,
54
are provided symmetrically with respect to the left and the right between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
in the product rack
12
(see FIG.
8
B).
Each concave
54
is provided on the product rack
12
so as to be extended horizontally in the longitudinal direction along the product passage
14
and to have a “V” shape in its section. When a plurality of products S are housed in a product passage
14
shown in
FIG. 8A
wherein the concave
54
is provided at a substantially center portion between the left and right partition walls
13
,
13
in the product rack
12
, for example, one product S is first housed in the product passage in such a state that the left end of the one product S is inserted into the concave
54
so as to be abutted against the bottom of the concave
54
while the right end is leaned against the right partition wall
13
. Thus, the one product S is housed in the state of being locked by the concave
54
and the right partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower left direction. Next, another product S is abutted against the one product S on its front or tear side, and, at the same time, the right end of the another products S is inserted into the concave
54
so as to be abutted against the bottom of the concave
54
, while the left end is leaned against the left partition wall
13
. Thus, the another product S is housed in the state of being locked by the concave
54
and the left partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower right direction. These two steps are alternately repeated to successively house the products S in the product passage
14
, whereby the plurality of products S are cross housed in the product passage
14
.
On the other hand, when a plurality of products S are housed in the product passage
14
shown in
FIG. 8B
, for example, one product S is first housed in such a manner that the left end is inserted into the left concave
54
so as to be abutted against the bottom of the concave
54
while the right end is leaned against the right partition wall
13
. Thus, the one product S is housed in the state of being locked by the left concave
54
and the right partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower left direction. Next, another product S is abutted against the one product S on its front or rear side, and, at the same time, the right end of the another products S is inserted into the right concave
54
so as to be abutted against the bottom of the right concave
54
while the left end is leaned against the left partition wall
13
. Thus, the another product S is housed in the product passage in the state of being locked by the right concave
54
and the left partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower right direction. These two steps are alternately repeated to successively house the products S in the product passage
14
, whereby the plurality of products S are cross housed in the product passage
14
.
Accordingly, the product housing apparatus
4
and product housing method according to this preferred embodiment also have substantially the same effect as the product housing apparatus and product housing method according to the first preferred embodiment. Further, it should be noted that, according to this preferred embodiment, although the concave
54
as the product locking section should be provided in the product rack
12
, a plurality of products S can be cross housed in the product passage
14
by taking advantage of a concave having a simple structure. The size and sectional form of the concave
54
is not particularly limited, so far as products to be locked by the concave can be cross housed in the product passage
14
.
Next, the product housing method according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained in conjunction with FIG.
9
. The product housing method according to the fifth preferred embodiment, unlike the first preferred embodiment having a convex member
33
and the fourth preferred embodiment having a concave
54
, a plurality of products S are housed in the product passage
14
on its product rack
12
having neither the convex member
33
nor the concave
54
. Therefore, the product housing apparatus, to which the product housing method according to this preferred embodiment is applied, is different from the product housing apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment only in that the convex member
33
is not provided.
When a plurality of products S are housed in the product passage
14
by cross housing as shown in
FIG. 9A
, for example, one product S in its left end is first abutted against the left cover
34
, while the right end is abutted and leaned against the upper end of the right partition wall
13
from its top, thereby housing the one product S in the product passage
14
. Thus, the one product S is housed in the product passage
14
in the state of being locked by the left cover
34
and the right partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower left direction. Next, another product S is housed in the product passage
14
in such a state that the another product S is abutted against the one product S on its front or rear side, and, at the same time, the right end of the another product S is abutted against the right cover
34
while the left end is abutted and leaned against the upper end of the left partition wall
13
from its top. Thus, the another product S is housed in the state of being locked by the right cover
34
and the left partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower right direction. These two steps are alternatively repeated to successively house the products S to cross house the plurality of products S in the product passage
14
.
On the other hand, as shown in
FIG. 9B
, when a plurality of products S are housed in the product passage
14
by identically inclined housing in the lower right direction, for example, one product S is first housed in the product passage
14
in such a state that the right end of the one product S is abutted against the right cover
34
while the left end is abutted and leaned against the upper end of the left partition wall
13
from its top. Thus, the one product S is housed in the product passage
14
in the state of being locked by the right cover
34
and the left partition wall
13
and held in a position inclined in the lower right direction. Another product S is then housed in the same manner as used in the one product S in the state of being abutted against the one product S on its front or rear side. Thus, the another product S is housed in the product passage
14
in the state of being locked by the right cover
34
and the left partition wall
13
in the same manner as used in the one product S and in a position inclined at substantially the same angle as the inclination angle of the one product S. Successively housing products S in this way permits the plurality of products S to be housed in the product passage
14
by identically inclined housing in the lower right direction. In this connection, it should be noted that the plurality of products S may be housed in the product passage
14
by identically inclined housing in the lower left direction.
The product housing method according to this preferred embodiment has the following effects in addition to substantially the same effect as attained by the first preferred embodiment. Specifically, unlike the first to fourth preferred embodiments, a plurality of products S can be housed in the product passage
14
of the product rack
12
having neither the convex member
33
nor the concave
54
by cross housing or identically inclined housing. Therefore, the production of the convex member
33
and the formation of the concave
54
are unnecessary. This can realize the housing of products S at a lower cost than the housing of products by the first to fourth preferred embodiments by a cost necessary for the production of the convex member
33
and the formation of the concave
54
.
In the product housing method according to this preferred embodiment, products are housed in the product passage
14
in such a state that the products are extended somewhat from the product passage
14
. This poses no problem so far as the products do not come into contact with products housed in the adjacent product passage.
The invention may be carried out by various embodiments without being limited to the above preferred embodiments. The detailed construction of the convex member
33
and concave
54
and, in addition, the cover
34
described above in connection with the above preferred embodiments is illustrative only, and may be properly altered or modified within the subject matter of the invention.
As is apparent from the foregoing detailed description, the product housing apparatus and product housing method for a vending machine according to the invention is advantageous, for example, in that various products including, for example, thin products, bagged products, and wrapped products can be housed in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction in a product passage extended horizontally in the longitudinal direction, and, at the same time, can be properly and surely delivered at low cost.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A product housing apparatus for a vending machine, for housing therein a plurality of products arranged in the longitudinal direction, which at the time of selling, are pushed forwarded from behind to deliver a product, said product housing apparatus comprising:a product passage defined by a bottom wall horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and left and right side walls, which face each other while leaving a space therebetween in the lateral direction, extend upward from the bottom wall, and extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, whereby the plurality of products being housed in the product passage are arranged in the longitudinal direction and are abutted against each other; a product locking section provided between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall so as to extend along the product passage, the product locking section locks the plurality of products such that the products are held in a laid state and in a position inclined in the lower right direction and/or the lower left direction; and a pusher movable in the longitudinal direction through the product passage to push the plurality of products forward.
- 2. The product housing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the product locking section comprises a convex which is projected upward from the bottom wall and locks the plurality of products.
- 3. The product housing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the convex is disposed at a substantially center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
- 4. The product housing apparatus according to claim 2, or wherein the convex is constructed so as to be detachable from the bottom wall and attachable to a plurality of positions between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
- 5. The product housing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the convex is formed of a material having a sliding property.
- 6. The product housing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the product locking section comprises a concave which is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall and functions to lock the lower end of the plurality of products housed in the inclined position in the product passage.
- 7. The product housing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the concave is provided at a substantially center portion between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
- 8. The product housing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein two concaves are provided, symmetrically with respect to the left and the right, between the left and right side walls of the bottom wall.
- 9. The product housing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the left and right side walls is constructed so as to be detachable from the bottom wall and attachable to a plurality of positions in the lateral direction of the bottom wall.
- 10. The product housing apparatus according to claim 9, which further comprises a detachable cover which is extended in the longitudinal direction along the left and right side walls and covers, from the product passage side, a gap between the bottom wall and at least one of the left and right side walls.
- 11. The product housing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cover on its surface of the product passage side is formed of a material having a sliding property.
- 12. The product housing apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a product delivery sensor which comprises a light emitting device and a photodetector located around a delivery port of the front end of the product passage and provided so as to horizontally face each other in the lateral direction and detects the delivery of a product from the product passage based on whether or not light from the light emitting device has been received by the photodetector.
- 13. A product housing method for a vending machine, for housing a plurality of products which are abutted against each other and arranged in the longitudinal direction in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and, at the time of selling, are pushed forwarded from behind to deliver a product, wherein:one of the plurality of products is housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined in one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction, the other product abutted against said one product is housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined in the other direction, and a pusher movable in the longitudinal direction through the product passage pushes the plurality of products forward.
- 14. A product housing method for a vending machine, for housing a plurality of products which are abutted against each other and arranged in the longitudinal direction in a product passage horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and, at the time of selling, are pushed forwarded from behind to deliver a product, wherein:the plurality of products are housed, within the product passage, in a laid state and in a position inclined at substantially the same angle in one of the lower right direction and the lower left direction, and a pusher movable in the longitudinal direction through the product passage pushes the plurality of products forward.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-187486 |
Jan 1999 |
JP |
|
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