Commodities storing apparatus of vending machine

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• a plurality of vertically arranged commodities storing shelves each having a plurality of commodities storing paths, said commodities storing shelves being pulled in storing commodities on the commodities storing paths;
• first commodities receiving plates each provided on the commodities storing shelves for holding a first commodity;
• second commodities receiving plates each for preventing movement of a second commodity;
• commodities feed-out devices each having an operation member and a driving shaft both for pivoting the first commodities receiving plates and the second commodities receiving plates to open and close the associated commodities storing paths;
• connection members each rotatable and positioned at a rear of each commodities storing path and fixed to the driving shaft;
• and
• driving motors each removable from the connection member,
• wherein when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward to store commodities on the commodities storing paths, the commodities feed-out device is disconnected from the driving motor, whereas when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward to be accommodated in the vending machine, the commodities feed-out device is connected with the driving motor.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• a plurality of vertically arranged commodities storing shelves each having a plurality of commodities storing paths, said commodities storing shelves being pulled in storing commodities on the commodities storing paths;
• commodities feed-out devices each comprising a first commodities receiving plate and a second commodities receiving plate to open and close the associated commodities storing path;
• feed-out pressing plates for moving the commodities;
• detection operation rods each of which is operated by being pressed by the feed-out pressing plate;
• and
• commodities detection switches each of which is separated from the detection operation rod when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward to store commodities on the commodities storing paths, the commodities detection switch being connected with the detection operation rod when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward to be accommodated in the vending machine.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port located at a front end of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing path;
• operation members each interlocked with an operation of one of the first commodities receiving plates;
• second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to the commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port,
• movable plates each provided on the sliding surface of each commodities storing path such that each movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear and thereof to the commodities feed-out port, thus preventing the commodities from falling down when the commodities are being moved;
• belt-shaped spiral elastic members each of which is connected with one of the movable plates and slides to move commodities placed thereon;
• and
• runway members each mounted in the commodities storing path;
• wherein one of the spiral elastic members slides on an upper surface of the runway member of each commodities storing path and is bent in a U-shape at the commodities feed-out port of the commodities storing path, said spiral elastic member being returned back and rotatably fixed to a rear end of the commodities storing path.

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

• gutter-shaped commodities storing paths, two of which are formed into a W configuration as one unit by molding;
• first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of each gutter-shaped commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing path;
• operation members each positioned at the commodities feed-out port in front of the front end of the commodities storing paths and interlocked with a pivotal motion of the first commodities receiving plates;
• second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to a commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port;
• sellout detection portions;
• and
• driving motors each for driving the first and second commodities receiving plates and the sellout detection portions, said driving motors being removable from the associated commodities storing shelves.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of gutter-shaped commodities storing paths for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing paths, the first commodities receiving plate having an inclined surface formed entirely or partially on a peripheral portion thereof, said inclined surface inclining in a direction from a front surface of the first commodities receiving plate toward a rear surface thereof holding the commodities;
• second commodities receiving plates each of which is provided on a sliding surface side of each commodities storing path and positioned rearward of one of the first commodities receiving plates, each of the second commodities receiving plates pivoting to feed out a first commodity to a commodities feed-out port and preventing a second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port;
• and
• driving shafts each connected to one of the first commodities receiving plates for pivoting the one of the first commodities receiving plate.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• first commodities receiving plates each positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the commodities storing paths;
• operation members each interlocked with a pivotal motion of the first commodities receiving plate;
• second commodities receiving plates each for preventing a second commodity from being moved to the commodities feed-out port;
• movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of the commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to the commodities feed-out port;
• belt-shaped sliding members each of which has a rotary member rotating at the commodities feed-out port and is pulled with commodities placed thereon, said sliding member being connected with the movable plate, with one end of the sliding member held by the rotary member by bending the sliding member in a U-shape at the rotary member;
• rotary drums on each of which the other end of the sliding member is wound;
• and
• spiral elastic members each connected with the rotary drum and positioned in proximity to the rotary drum,
• wherein each sliding member moves along the commodities storing path by the urging force of the elastic member so that the sliding member moves along an upper surface of the commodities storing path and a lower surface thereof.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• first commodities receiving plates positioned at a commodities feed-out port in front of a front end of a commodities storing path for holding commodities stored on the gutter-shaped commodities storing path;
• movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of the commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to the commodities feed-out port;
• belt-shaped sliding members each of which is connected with the movable plate and is pulled with commodities placed thereon by being urged toward a feed-out side;
• and
• second commodities receiving plates each provided on the sliding surface and comprising a regulation portion, positioned at one end thereof, for preventing a movement of a second commodity to a commodities feed-out port and a stopper portion which is positioned at the other end thereof and pivotally supported on a shaft, said stopper portion contacting the sliding member by a pivotal motion of the second commodities receiving plate,
• wherein a movement of the sliding member is locked by the pivotal motion of the second commodities receiving plate.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• second commodities receiving plates each provided on a sliding surface and comprising a regulation portion, positioned at one end thereof, for preventing a movement of a second commodity to a commodities feed-out port and a stopper portion which is positioned at the other end thereof and pivotally supported on a shaft, said stopper portion contacting a sliding member by a pivotal motion of the second commodities receiving plate;
• and
• blocking members, each provided at a lower portion of a front end of each gutter-shaped commodities storing case, for reducing the degree of sliding property of the sliding member,
• wherein a movement of the sliding member is locked between the stopper portion and the blocking member by the pivotal motion of each second commodities receiving plate.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• commodities storing shelves which can be pulled forward;
• sellout detection portions each of which can be separated from the corresponding commodities storing shelf;
• movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of each commodities storing path such that each movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port of the commodities storing path;
• belt-shaped sliding members each of which is connected with one of the movable plates and can be pulled with commodities placed thereon by being urged toward a feed-out side;
• operation holes each formed in the sliding member;
• and
• sellout operation members each pivotally supported on a shaft and having a pressing strip which contacts the sellout detection portion at a rear portion of the commodities storing path and an operation pressing strip which is inserted into the operation hole,
• wherein the sellout detection portion is operated when the operation pressing strip is inserted into the operation hole with the movable plate located at the commodities feed-out port.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• movable plates each provided on a sliding surface of each commodities storing path such that each movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port of each commodities storing path;
• sliding members each connected with one of the movable plates;
• rotary drums on each of which one of the sliding members is spirally wound;
• tooth portions each formed circumferentially on the rotary drums;
• and
• pivotal stopper members each comprising a locking strip which engages with the tooth portions to prevent a rotation of the rotary drum and a stopper strip which is integral with the locking strip and engages the locking strip with the tooth portions when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward and disengages the locking strip from the tooth portions when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward,
• wherein when the commodities storing shelf is pulled forward, the movable plate is fixed at an arbitrary position, whereas when the commodities storing shelf is pressed rearward, a locked state of the movable plate is released to allow the movable plate to move forward.

A commodities storing apparatus of a vending machine comprising:

• second commodities receiving plates each provided on a sliding surface of a gutter-shaped commodities storing path for preventing a second commodity from moving to a commodities feed-out port;
• and
• runway members each for sliding a movable plate provided on the sliding surface of the gutter-shaped commodities storing path such that the movable plate is slidable on the sliding surface from a rear end thereof to a commodities feed-out port and prevents commodities from falling down when the commodities are being moved,
• wherein the runway member inclines from a predetermined position thereof toward a rear end thereof such that the height of the rear end of the runway member is set to be equal to or lower than that of the second commodities receiving plate for preventing the second commodity from moving to the commodities feed-out port when the second commodities receiving plate at a highest position thereof as a result of pivotal motion thereof.

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

• wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises:
• first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of the commodities storing path to open and close the front end of the commodities storing path;
• second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of the commodities storing path to open and close the commodities storing path;
• operation members each interlocked with the first commodities receiving plate and contacting the second commodities receiving plates to drive the second commodities receiving plate;
• movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of the commodities storing path;
• rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of the commodities storing path;
• belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, said sliding member being bent in the form of a figure "U" at a front portion of the commodities storing path;
• first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of the commodities storing path and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;
• second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drum;
• and
• spiral elastic members each provided between the first spring-installing drum and the second spring-installing drum and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member is wound around the rotary drum,
• wherein a curved portion is formed on the second commodities receiving plate at a position thereof corresponding to an upper end thereof when the second commodities receiving plate projects above the commodities storing path.

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

• wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises:
• first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of the commodities storing path to open and close the front end of the commodities storing path;
• second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of the commodities storing path to open and close the commodities storing path;
• operation members each interlocked with the first commodities receiving plate and contacting the second commodities receiving plates to drive the second commodities receiving plates;
• movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of the commodities storing path;
• rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of the commodities storing path;
• belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, said sliding member being bent in the form of a figure "U" at a front portion of the commodities storing path;
• first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of the commodities storing path and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;
• second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drum;
• and
• spiral elastic members each provided between the first spring-installing drum and the second spring-installing drum and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member is wound around the rotary drum,
• wherein the second commodities receiving plate has a projection formed on a side opposite to a side thereof contacting the commodities.

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

• wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises:
• first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of the commodities storing path to open and close the front end of the commodities storing path;
• second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of the commodities storing path to open and close the commodities storing path;
• operation members each interlocked with the first commodities receiving plate and contacting the second commodities receiving plates to drive the second commodities receiving plate;
• movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of the commodities storing path;
• rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of the commodities storing path;
• belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, said sliding member being bent in the form of a figure "U" at a front portion of the commodities storing path;
• first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of the commodities storing path and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;
• second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drum;
• and
• spiral elastic members each provided between the first spring-installing drum and the second spring-installing drum and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member is wound around the rotary drum,
• wherein the movable plate has a first pressing strip projecting from a lower portion of a front surface thereof.

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

• wherein each of the commodities feed-out devices comprises,
• first commodities receiving plates each provided at a front end of at least one of the commodities storing paths to open and close the front end of the commodities storing paths;
• second commodities receiving plates each provided on a bottom surface of one of the commodities storing paths to open and close the commodities storing paths;
• operation members each interlocked with one of the first commodities receiving plates and contacting the second commodities receiving plates;
• driving motors each driving one of the first commodities receiving plates and the operation member;
• movable plates each slidable on the bottom surface of one of the commodities storing paths;
• rotary drums each rotatably provided at a rear end of one of the commodities storing paths;
• belt-shaped sliding members each having one end fixed to a lower portion of the movable plate and the other end fixed to the rotary drum, each of said sliding members being bent in the form of a figure "U" at the front portion of the commodities storing paths;
• first spring-installing drums each positioned at a rear end of one of the commodities storing paths and being coaxial and integral with the rotary drum;
• second spring-installing drums each juxtaposed with the first spring-installing drums;
• spiral elastic members each provided between one of the first spring-installing drums and one of the second spring-installing drums and urging the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding members are wound around the rotary drums;
• sellout detection portions each detecting that there is one commodity left on a respective one of the commodities storing paths and that all commodities have been sold out;
• last sale storage means storing data indicating that the last commodity is sold in a next sale;
• motor driving means for driving the driving motor;
• motor control means outputting a driving signal to the motor driving means when a commodity is sold and receiving a last sale detection signal from the sellout detection portion, said motor control means outputting a signal to the last sale storage means,
• wherein in selling commodities, the motor control means reads data stored in the last sale storage means, outputs a signal to the motor driving means only when the last commodity is sold, and drives the first commodities receiving plate and the operation member so as to perform a commodities feed-out operation twice successively.