JP4833863B2 - Beverage vending machine with cup feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to a beverage vending machine (1) provided with a cup release device. The beverage vending machine (1) comprises a turret (7) for accommodating one or more stacks (9) of cups, support means (13) supporting each one of such stacks (9), an arm (14) moving between a first release position and a second gripping position thereof, and provided with a first jaw (16a) and a second jaw (16b) capable of moving relative to each other. Said vending machine (1) further comprises a receptacle (11) for receiving one or more such cups removed from said stacks (9). The vending machine (1) is characterized in that at least one of said first and second jaws (16a, 16b) comprises actuation means (17) that cooperate with said support means (13) to cause a first cup (10) to be removed from one of said stacks (9), and comprises at least a movable hook (18) adapted to get engaged between the upper edge (19) of said first cup (10) in one of said stacks (9) and the upper edge (20) of the next cup (101 following said first cup (10) in the same stack (9) when said arm (14) is in said second gripping position thereof.

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage vending machine provided with a cup supply device.

  Beverage vending machines that provide beverages in cups are now widely known in the art. These vending machines comprise a movable turret that houses a set of one or more cups, and a device that can be pulled from the set one at a time and filled with a selected beverage. As this device, various types of specific examples are known. The simplest of such examples is that a pair of spiral members are provided near the cup set take-out portion at the bottom of the turret, and the spiral members engage with the upper end edge of the cup so as to be around the spiral axis. The cup can be removed from the cup set while rotating. However, this type of device has many problems. One of the problems is that it works very effectively, for example, when cups of different sizes and shapes have to be taken out, or when the gaps or spacings between adjacent top edges of stacked cups vary. It is not possible. In fact, two cups are supplied at a time, which can easily clog up the vending machine, which can detract from the profits of those doing business with the vending machine.

  In addition, there is a problem with devices using these rotating spiral members that gravity is used to remove the cup from the cup set. In fact, if something is already contained in the stacked cups and the beverage needs to be prepared at the end, some of the pre-contained items will pop out of the cup when the cup is dropped by the action of the spiral member. Any spills in the vending machine will be scattered and fouled.

  U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,077 discloses another type of device used to supply cups from a cup set. This device consists of an arm having a fulcrum on a pivot and is provided with a suitably shaped end which engages a kind of jaw for grabbing the cup and pulling it out of the cup set. To remove the cup from the cup set with this device, the upper edge of the cup is provided around the outlet of the compartment containing the cup set and engages with the upper edge of the cup to support the cup set. A tensile force is applied to the cup until the plurality of movable protruding parts are expanded. Then, the cups taken out from the stacked cups are supplied by dropping them by gravity simply by releasing the grasp of the arm. In the cup supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a cup is taken out from a stacked cup set to prepare a beverage, contents that may be stored in advance in the stacked cup are stored. There is a problem similar to the above-described prior art device in that it spills and splashes into the vending machine.

A further problem is that the movement of the protruding parts supporting the stacking cups is controlled by shifting the taking-out cups, so that only one cup is not necessarily taken out at a time. In fact, if there are two cups that overlap each other, the arm that grips them will sandwich both of them, and the upper edges of both of the two cups will push open multiple protruding parts together. . In other words, simply pulling the cups that you want to remove is not enough to pull the two cups that are stuck together, especially the gap between the top edges of the stacked cups is very narrow and most of them It was found to be insufficient when the parts were in contact.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,843

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine provided with a cup supply device that does not have the problems of the vending machine provided with the cup supply device according to the prior art as described above.

  Within this general purpose, a specific goal of the present invention is that a set of stacked cups at a time, regardless of cup size, gaps separating adjacent stacked cups, and cup materials. The object is to provide a vending machine provided with a cup supply device which helps to ensure that only one cup can be removed.

  Another specific goal of the present invention is to help prevent the contents that may be contained in each of the cups stacked to prepare the final product beverage from spilling out and splashing into the vending machine. It is to provide a vending machine provided with a supply device.

  Yet another specific object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine provided with a cup feeding device that requires only a single drive unit to drive.

  According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved in a vending machine provided with a cup supply device, which incorporates the features and properties described in the appended claims. In any event, the features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vending machine 1, which includes a door 2 that closes an internal space 3 defined by a wall of a housing or outer casing 4. The door 2 is provided with an opening for forming a commodity supply location 5 for taking out the beverage prepared by the vending machine 1. The door 2 is also provided with a selection device 6 as known per se in the art, such as a push button panel or push button unit, which allows the customer to select the beverage he wants to drink. . The selection device 6 may be combined with a payment means for paying the selected beverage, and the means can be constituted by, for example, a magnetic card reader or a coin collecting device. It goes without saying that the vending machine 1 may be provided with two or more product supply locations 5 according to actual required specifications and needs.

  In the internal space 3 there is provided a turret 7 with one or more receptacles 8 adapted to receive and hold a corresponding number of stacked cup sets 9. The turret 7 is preferably rotated around its longitudinal axis, and cups of different sizes can be accommodated and held by appropriately determining the shape of the accommodating portion 8. The turret 7 is provided with support means 13 and is engaged with the first cup 10 of each stacking set 9 to support the entire stacked cup in the housing 8. These support means 13 are disposed at the end of each accommodating portion 8 and are preferably connected intermittently to the turret 7. The support means 13 is also preferably movable against the action of the elastic means. Any number of these support means 13 may be provided according to the shape of the turret 7 and the cup.

  The container 11 comprises one or more compartments 12 adapted to receive cups taken from the set of stacked cups 9 for moving the cups towards one or more commodity supply locations 5. And rotate around one axis. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 1 shows a container 11 with only one set of cups 9 stacked in the receiving part 8 and only one compartment 12. However, it will be readily appreciated that more than one set of cups 9 and more than one compartment 12 may be provided.

  The vending machine 1 further includes an arm 14 that can be moved between a first open position and a second grasping position, as best shown in FIGS. In the first open position, the arm 14 places one cup 10 in the compartment 12 of the container 11 (FIG. 2). At the second grasping position, the arm 14 takes out one cup 10 from one cup set 9 accommodated in the accommodating portion 8 of the turret 7 (FIG. 3). The arm 14 is attached so that it can slide on the runner 15. The runner 15 is arranged so that the first cup opening position of the arm comes close to the container 11, and the second cup grasping position of the arm is the first cup 10 of each cup set 9, that is, the accommodating portion 8 of the turret 7. It arrange | positions so that it may come to the vicinity of the cup 10 which protrudes from. The runner 15 can be provided so as to be arranged corresponding to the vertical rotation axis of the turret 7.

  The movement of the arm 14 is performed between the first position and the second position by drive means of the kind known in the art (and thus not shown).

  The arm 14 is further provided with a first jaw portion 16a and a second jaw portion 16b, which are movable left and right, that is, relative to each other. The position of the two jaws relative to each other allows the arm 14 to accommodate cups of different sizes, and the two jaws move away from each other to be removed from the cup set 9 in front of it. The cup can be opened in the compartment 12 of the container 11.

  4 shows the jaws 16a, 16b of the moving arm 14 and the support means 13 provided on the turret 7 so that it can be removed from the set 9 of stacked cups and opened. The second jaw portion 16b includes an actuating means 17 that operates in cooperation with the support means 13 to take out one cup 10 from the set 9 of cups. These actuating means 17 may be provided on one jaw part or on both jaw parts 16a, 16b, depending on the arrangement of the support means 13 in the turret 7. According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating means 17 comprises a protruding part. Further, a movable hook 18 is provided on at least one of the jaw portions 16a and 16b. The hook 18 is connected to the top edge 19 of the first cup 10 of the stacking cup set 9 and the cup 10 immediately next to the first cup 10 when the arm 14 is in the second gripping position shown in FIG. It is caught between the upper edge 20 of '. When two or more hooks 18 are provided, the number of hooks, whether they are provided on either of the jaw portions 16a, 16b, or both may be selected so as to best suit a specific shape of the cup, for example.

  Each movable hook 18 includes a shoe 21. The shoe 21 has a shape suitable for sliding at least on the surface 22 of the turret 7 and thereby displacing the position of the hook 18. Each such hook 18 is preferably movable against the action of the elastic means.

  The support means 13 is preferably connected to the turret 7 in a swinging manner, and includes a holding portion 25 configured to engage with the upper edge 19 of the cup 10. In order for the operating means 17 to operate in cooperation with the support means 13, the holding portion 25 is provided on the support means 13, and is provided with a cam-like contour along which the operating means 17 slides. .

  The actuating means 17, the support means 13, each hook 18 and the associated shoe 21 together with the surface 22 constitute a cup supply device.

  Three different movements when the cup feeder is operating are shown in FIGS. The vending machine 1 is operating to prepare and supply a predetermined beverage selected by the buyer, or simply to remove a cup from the turret 7 and open it. At this time, the arm 14 moves toward the second grasping position along the runner 15 as shown in FIG. In this gripping position, the jaws 16a, 16b are spaced at a suitable distance to form a surface 23 that receives the upper edge 19 of the first cup 10 of the stacking cup set 9. The spacing between the jaws 16a and 16b, i.e. the relative position of each other, is adjusted so that the surface 23 receiving the upper edge of the cup better supports cups having different dimensions of the upper edge 19 Adjusted by the device. Thereby, the arm 14 can operate | move reliably about the cup from which a shape and size differ greatly.

  4 and 5, when the arm 14 approaches the grasping position, the shoe 21 of each hook 18 moves to contact the surface 22 of the turret 7. Preferably, since there is a surface 22 constituted by a fork-like structure 27 comprising at least one plane 24 inclined with respect to the longitudinal rotation axis of the turret 7, the shoe 21 slides on the plane 24, Thereby, the hook 18 can be moved.

  Each hook 18 is preferably formed by a single plate having a first end that is curved like a hook and a second end that is rotatably connected to one of the two jaws 16a, 16b. In this way, while the shoe 21 interacts with the inclined plane 24, the hook 18 moves away from the jaw 16a with which it is associated. As the arm 14 approaches the gripping position, each hook 18 begins to move away from its associated jaw 16a or 16b, while the actuating means 17 interacts with the support means 13 that supports the stacking cup set 9. do not do.

  In the illustration of FIG. 6, the arm 14 has shown the state which reached | attained the position which grasps | ascertains the first cup 10 of the stacking cup set 9. FIG. The receiving surface 23 is in contact with the upper edge 19 of the cup 10, and in this state, the surface 23 supports the entire stacked cup set 9. In fact, the actuating means 17 slides along the cam-like contour 26 to separate the holding part 25 from the upper edge 19 of the first cup 10 of the stacked cup set 9. Almost at the same time when the holding part 25 opens the upper edge 19, the upper edge 19 comes into contact with the receiving surface 23. Similarly, substantially simultaneously, each hook 18 moves between the top edge 19 of the first cup 10 and the top edge 20 of the cup 10 ′ next to the first cup 10.

  Each hook 18 can be reliably engaged between the upper end edges of two adjacent cups in one cup set when the arm 14 has already almost reached a predetermined gripping position. This is because 21 can leave the surface 22 of the turret 7 and make the hook 18 approach each associated jaw 16a or 16b. This approaching movement is performed by elastic means, but its potential energy increases as the hooks 18 move away from the jaws (FIG. 5), and is released when the shoe 21 passes the inclined plane 24 and leaves the surface 22. (FIG. 6). Instead of providing the elastic means, each hook 18 may be formed of a member that can be bent under the action of a shearing force without breaking or permanently deforming.

  FIG. 7 shows a pattern in which the arm 14 takes out the cup 10 from the stacked cup set 9 and moves away from the grasping position. Each hook 18 exerts a pulling force on the cup 10 and engages between the upper edges 19, 20 of two adjacent cups 10, 10 ′ so that one cup at a time from the stacked cup set 9. Is surely removed. As the arm 14 moves away from the gripping position in this manner, the actuating means 17 can be separated from the cam-shaped contour 26, and thereby the holding portion 25 of the cup 10 ′ next to the cup taken out of the cup set 9 can be removed. It can be engaged with the upper edge 20. Thus, the cup set 9 is again supported by the support means 13. Due to the special construction of the cam-like profile 26, the support means 13 can be engaged with the next cup 10 'just as the cup 10 is removed from the set 9, and the cup set 9 is again supported and fixed. Can be fixed in position. The shoe 21 moves and contacts the surface 22 again, but this time it contacts from the opposite side of the inclined plane 24 compared to the direction of movement shown in FIG. In order to prevent the movement of the shoe 21 from being hindered or to make it difficult for the time being, it is preferable to provide the surface 22 to rotate with the turret 7. Then, when the shoe slides away from the grasping position, the surface 22 can be displaced.

  If the surface 22 is displaced in this way by the shoe 21, there is only one effect that the movement path of the shoe 21 is not obstructed. Alternatively, the fork-like structure 27 on the surface 22 may be constituted by some thin plate that can be bent under the action of a shearing force without breaking or permanently deforming.

  When the cup 10 is taken out from the stacked cup set 9, the arm 14 moves toward the open position near the container 11, as shown in FIG. When the jaws 16a, 16b are opened by the same driving means that drives the arm 14 between the gripping position and the open position, the cup 10 is opened in the compartment 12 of the container 11 and placed there. If necessary, the cup 10 can then be placed in a continuous form or through a series of separate steps from the container 11 to any device that may be provided to prepare a warm or cold beverage, or prior to sale. It may be transported to some other device that may be provided to supply fluid food that needs to be in a cup. The cup 10 is filled with the desired product in this way, or is finally transported toward the commodity supply point 5 while being empty. The merchandise supply location 5 may be common with one of the other supply devices provided in the same vending machine 1 such as a packaged product supply device.

  By providing a beverage vending machine with a cup feeder that ensures that only one cup at a time is removed from the stacked cups, thereby preventing any clogging problems of the vending machine. The ability of the present invention to effectively realize the objects and advantages described above is sufficiently apparent from the above description. The book also allows the cup to be transported in a controlled manner from its storage location to the place where the product to be sold is prepared, thereby preventing any product that may be placed in the cup from spilling out of the cup. The ability of the invention is also sufficiently clear.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be operated widely and advantageously with various cups, without actually replacing the parts necessary for a vending machine for this purpose.

  It will be readily appreciated that the materials used may be selected each time without departing from the scope of the present invention, as well as the shape and size of the individual parts, to properly accommodate specific specifications and applications. Let's go.

  Also, the various components of the present invention need not be embodied in the only form described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, and can be embodied in many different forms. It will be readily appreciated that many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope.

It is the schematic of the vending machine provided with the cup supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure in a 1st open position which shows roughly the arm for isolate | separating and taking out a cup from the stacked cup group. It is the schematic in the 2nd grasping position of the arm shown in FIG. It is a partial cross section figure of a cup supply apparatus. It is sectional drawing in the 1st taking-out stage of a cup supply apparatus. It is sectional drawing in the 2nd taking-out stage of a cup supply apparatus. It is sectional drawing in the 3rd taking-out stage of a cup supply apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 vending machine 7 turret 9 set (for stacked cups)
10, 10 'Cup 11 Container 12 Compartment 13 Support means 14 Arm 16a, 16b Jaw part 17 Actuating means 18 Movable hook 19, 20 Upper edge (of cup)

Claims (16)

A turret (7) for containing a set (9) of one or more stacked cups;
Combined with the turret (7), a holding part (25) is provided, each pair of first cups (10) of the cup set (10) for supporting the cup set (9) within the turret (7) Supporting means (13) engaged with
An arm (14) having a first jaw part (16a) and a second jaw part (16b) that can move relative to each other and moving between a first open position and a second grasping position When,
A container (11) having one or more compartments (12) for accommodating one or more cups removed from the cup set (9);
In a beverage vending machine (1) with
At least one of the first jaw part (16a) and the second jaw part (16b) is detached from the first cup (10) of the cup set (9) into the holding part (25). Actuating means (sliding along the cam profile (26) of the holding part (25) so that the first cup (10) can be removed from one of the stacked cup sets (9). 17)
Further, when at least one of the first jaw portion (16a) and the second jaw portion (16b) has the arm (14) in the second grasping position, the one stacking is performed. The top edge (19) of the first cup (10) in the cup set (9) and the top of the next cup (10 ') following the first cup (10) in the same cup set (9) At least one movable hook (18) adapted to engage with the edge (20);
The movable hook (18) is further configured to exert a pulling force on the first cup (10) when the arm (14) leaves the second grasping position.
Beverage vending machine characterized by that.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means (17) is constituted by a protruding part.   The shoe (21) adapted to slide over at least one surface (22) of the turret (7) to drive and move the hook (18). The beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising:   The at least one surface (22) is formed by a fork-like structure (27) having at least one plane (24) inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the turret (7). Item 4. A beverage vending machine according to item 3.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one surface (22) is coupled to the turret (7) in such a way that it swings about an axis.   5. The beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fork-like structure (27) is formed of a thin flexible strip.   The at least one hook (18) is coupled to a first end bent into a hook shape and one of the jaws (16a, 16b) in a form swinging around an axis. The beverage vending machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the beverage vending machine (1) is constituted by a small flat plate having an end.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hook (18) is able to move against the action of elastic means.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hook (18) is constituted by a flexible member.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support means (13) is coupled to the turret (7) in a manner that swings about an axis.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 10, wherein the support means (13) can be moved against the action of elastic means.   The first and second jaws (16a, 16b) receive the upper edge (19) of the first cup (10) in the one cup set (9) when in the gripping position. Beverage vending machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it defines a surface (23).   A device for adjusting the relative position of the jaws (16a, 16b) such that the receiving surface (23) supports cups having different dimensions of the upper edge (19, 20); Beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 12, comprising:   The container (11) is movable to carry the one or more cups removed from the cup set (9) into one or more commodity supply locations (5). Beverage vending machine (1) in any one of 1-13.   The arm (14) is arranged such that the first cup opening position is in the vicinity of the container (11), and the second cup gripping position is the first cup (10) of each cup set (9). The drink vending machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which is slidably attached to a runner (15) provided to come close.   Beverage vending machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the turret (7) is adapted to accommodate a plurality of stacked cup sets (9) having cups of various sizes. .

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