JPH10255158A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine of an intra-cup mixing type which can offer a drink raw material that is mixed with no water nor hot water as a take-back commodity in accordance with the environment of application. SOLUTION: The take-back commodities (cups containing only their raw materials) are allocated to the push-button switches SW1 and SW2 of a commodity selection means 1 and stored in a RAM 12. When an allocated commodity is selected via a push-button switch, a cup is carried out by a cup carry-out means 5 and received by a cup carrier means 6. Then the raw material is supplied into the cup via a row material carrier means 4, and the cup is covered by a capping means 7 for its sale. Thus, the raw materials which are not mixed with water nor hot water can be offered and accordingly the cup drink is never split out nor cooled down. Furthermore, such a hot drink whose sale is so far discontinued due to its lowered temperature can be sold as a drink raw material. Thus, the selling chance is not missed for the drink commodities.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-cup mixing type vending machine for dispensing beverages in a cup.
Vending machine).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a beverage mixing method for a cup-type vending machine using a powdered raw material or the like includes mixing in a cup in which a raw material (hereinafter referred to as hot water or a beverage raw material other than water) and hot water are stirred and mixed in a cup. And a mixing ball type that is prepared in a mixing ball and then supplied to a cup. In either case, the vending machine sells prepared beverages in which the ingredients are dissolved in hot water or water.

[0003] Therefore, for example, when the temperature is
When the temperature of the hot water or water is not within the predetermined temperature range, the sale of the beverage is stopped as the beverage is sold out.

[0004]

The conventional in-cup mixing type vending machine has the following problems. As mentioned above,
When the temperature of the hot water or water falls outside the predetermined temperature range, the beverage is sold out, and even if the required raw materials are stored, the beverage cannot be sold until the temperature returns to the predetermined temperature. For this reason, there is a risk that the opportunity to sell the beverage is missed during that time.

[0005] Also, if the place to buy the drink and the place to drink are far apart, the drink may be spilled on the way to take the cup home,
May cool down. There are vending machines that cover the cup and provide it to prevent this, but it can get cold when the distance is long. Further, it is necessary to mount a dedicated capping device on the vending machine to cover the cup, which requires a space for accommodating the capping device, resulting in an increase in cost of the entire vending machine.

[0006] That is, the above-mentioned problem has arisen to provide a beverage prepared by adding hot water or water to raw materials. An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage material to which hot water or water is not added, according to a use environment of a vending machine.

[0007]

The vending machine according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
In the in-cup mixing type vending machine, a product selection button for selecting a product, storage means for storing a product selection button to which a take-out product is allocated, and a raw material discharge for discharging a predetermined beverage raw material for each take-out product Means, and a beverage container for storing beverage ingredients, when a product selection button is pressed, and when the button is a product selection button to which a take-out product is allocated by the storage means, a predetermined beverage for the take-out product is provided. The raw materials are transported to the beverage container by the raw material discharging means for sale.

[0008] Thus, when a predetermined take-out product is selected, only the beverage ingredient in the beverage container is carried out, so that the beverage ingredient without adding hot water or water is provided according to the use environment of the vending machine. You. A vending machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is a vending machine of a mixing-in-cup type in a vending machine, wherein a product selection button for selecting a product, storage means for storing a product selection button to which a take-out product is allocated, and a predetermined beverage for each take-out product. The system includes a raw material discharging means for discharging raw materials, a beverage container for storing beverage raw materials, and a take-away sales requesting means for requesting the sale of a take-away product. A product selection button is pressed, and the button is used by the storage means to store the take-away product. When the take-out sale request is issued by the take-out sale request means, the predetermined beverage ingredient for the take-out article is carried out to the beverage container by the ingredient take-out means. Sell.

[0009] With this, when a predetermined take-out target product is selected and the customer requests take-out sales, only the beverage ingredients contained in the beverage container are carried out. A beverage ingredient to which no hot water or water is added is provided. A vending machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is a vending machine of the mixing type in a cup, wherein a product selection button for selecting a product,
Storage means for storing a product selection button assigned to a take-out product, raw material carrying-out means for carrying out a predetermined beverage raw material for each take-out product, and a beverage container for holding a beverage raw material,
Temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of drinking water, a product selection button is pressed, and the button is a product selection button to which take-out products are allocated by the storage means, and
When the temperature of the drinking water by the temperature detecting means is not within the predetermined temperature range, a predetermined beverage ingredient for the take-out product is carried out to the beverage container by the ingredient carrying means and sold.

[0010] Thus, when a predetermined take-out target product is selected and the temperature of the drinking water is not in the predetermined temperature range, a beverage ingredient to which no hot water or water is added is provided. A vending machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the vending machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a beverage container supply means for dropping and supplying the beverage container every time the beverage is sold, wherein the beverage material is supplied to the beverage container. After being carried out, the beverage container is further dropped into the beverage container.

Thus, a beverage container containing only a beverage ingredient with a lid can be provided without mounting a dedicated capping device on a vending machine.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, although the case where hot water is used as a beverage is shown in this example, the same applies to the case where cold water is used.
The mechanism relating to the beverage sales control of the vending machine according to the present invention is as follows. That is, 1 is a product selection means, which is constituted by push button switches SW1 and SW2 for selecting a beverage. Numeral 2 denotes hot water carrying means for boiling and storing hot water for cooking powdered raw materials, and opening / closing a hot water selling valve 17 to supply hot water to a cup when selling beverages. The hot water temperature is controlled by turning on / off the heater by means of hot water temperature detecting means 3 such as a temperature sensor. Reference numeral 4 denotes a raw material discharging means for discharging a predetermined amount of raw material into the cup by the raw material motor 16 at the time of selling the beverage. Numeral 5 denotes a cup carrying-out means for carrying out the stored cups one by one by the cup motor 14 at the time of selling the beverage. Numeral 6 denotes a cup conveying means, which grasps the cup discharged from the cup discharging means 5 by the cup conveying motor 15 and inputs the raw material;
It is transported sequentially to each station where hot water is charged and stirred. Numeral 7 is a capping means for closing the cup by a capper motor 18 in order to prevent the beverage after cooking from spilling.
A stirring means 8 mixes hot water and raw materials in a cup by a stirring motor 19 to cook a beverage.

Each of the above mechanisms is controlled by a control unit 9. The control unit 9 includes a CPU 10 for controlling the entire vending machine, a ROM 13 for storing a control program, a RAM 12 for storing various data, and an I / O 11.
The CPU 10 is connected to the cup motor 14, the cup transport motor 15, the raw material motor 16,
Hot water sales valve 17, capper motor 18, stirring motor 1
9 and the push button switches SW1 and SW2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the basic operation of the beverage mixing of a vending machine of the mixing-in-cup type having the above configuration. That is, the cup carried out from the cup carrying-out means 5 is grasped by the cup carrying means 6, the raw material carried out from the raw material carrying-out means 4 is received, the hot water supplied from the hot water carrying-out means 2 is added, and the hot water is stirred by the stirring means 8. Then, the cap is closed by the capping means 7 and the cup is conveyed to the outlet by the cup conveying means 6. (1) Regarding Invention 1 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main operations of the vending machine according to Invention 1. The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, among beverages to be sold, a product in which only ingredients are put in a cup without pouring hot water or water (take-out product)
To each of the push button switches S of the product selection means 1 in advance.
Assigned to W1 and SW2. Also, it is displayed on a product sample or the like so that the user can know whether or not the product is a take-out product when selecting the product. The CPU 10 operates the switch SW
When it is detected via the I / O 11 that the switch 1 or SW2 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not the pressed switch is a switch assigned to a take-out product (step S1). ) End as it is and perform normal beverage supply processing. If the product is a take-out product (branch Y), the cup transport motor 15 is driven to move the cup holding unit to the cup dropping position, and the cup motor 14 is driven to drop the cup (step S2). Subsequently, the cup is moved to the raw material unloading position by the cup conveying means 6, and the raw material motor 1 is moved.
6 to drive the raw materials into the cup (step S
3). Next, the cup into which the raw material has been charged is moved to a capping position where the lid is attached, and the capper motor 18 is driven to cover the cup (step S4), and then the cup transport motor 15 is driven to take out the cup. And place the cup (step S5) to end the sale.

According to the above-described operation, a beverage set in advance as a take-out product in accordance with a vending machine use environment can be provided as a take-out product by dissolving the raw materials in hot water and putting it in a cup as it is. (2) Regarding Invention 2 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main operations of the vending machine according to Invention 2.

In the invention 1, when a customer selects a take-out product, a cup containing only the raw material is always carried out as a take-out product. On the other hand, in Invention 2, when the push button switch to which the take-out product is assigned is pressed, the beverage prepared with hot water is usually sold, but the customer can specify the take-out product. I do. Therefore, in the flowchart of the second invention, steps 6, 7, and 8 are added between step S3 and step 4 of the flowchart of the first invention (FIG. 3).

The vending machine is provided with a raw material take-back sales switch (not shown) for designating a take-away product. As this switch, for example, a so-called function switch that designates increase or decrease of sugar in a normal vending machine can be used. Similarly to the first invention, when the CPU 10 detects that the push button switch corresponding to the take-out product is pressed, the CPU 10 inserts the cup, and after the input of the raw materials (steps S1, 2, 3),
It is determined whether a raw material take-away sales switch (not shown) has been pressed (step S6). If it is pushed (branch Y), as in the first aspect, the cup with the lid is carried out (steps S4, S5). If it is not pushed (branch N), hot water is poured into the cup (step S7), and after stirring (step S8), a beverage in which the ingredients are prepared is provided (steps S4, S5).

According to the above operation, a beverage can be provided as a take-out product according to a customer's request. (3) Regarding Invention 3 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations of the vending machine according to Invention 3. Conventionally, when the hot water temperature was lower than a predetermined value, the sales were stopped as a sold-out beverage. However, the invention 3 is such that when the hot water temperature is low, it can be sold as a take-out product.

That is, the flowchart of the third aspect of the invention is obtained by replacing step S6 of the flowchart of the second aspect of the invention (FIG. 4) with step S9. After the raw materials are charged by the same procedure as in the second aspect of the invention (steps S1, S2, and S3), the hot water temperature detecting means 3 determines whether the hot water temperature is lower than a predetermined value (step S9). If it is lower (branch Y), the take-out product is carried out similarly to the first invention (steps S4 and S5). If the temperature of the hot water is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (branch N), the hot water is poured into the cup and stirred as in the second invention (steps S7 and S8), and then the prepared beverage is provided (step S4.5).

By the above operation, the beverage can be provided as a take-out product even when the temperature of the hot water, which has been sold out, is low. (4) Regarding Invention 4 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main operations of the vending machine according to Invention 4. In step S4 of each of the flowcharts of the above-described inventions 1, 2, and 3, the capper motor 18 is driven to cap the cup by the capping means 7, so that a dedicated capping device is required. However, in the case of take-out products, since the hot water is not contained, the lid can be simplified. Then, invention 4 substitutes the next cup for sale which the cup carrying-out means 5 waits for carry-out with respect to a take-out product as a lid (step S10).

Although FIG. 6 shows the case for Invention 1, the same goes for Inventions 2 and 3 when providing hot-drinks or drinks containing water and providing take-out products. FIG.
Is a diagram showing an outline of this operation. That is, after receiving the raw material, the cup unloading means 5 drops the next cup, and substitutes this cup as a lid.

With the above operation, the take-out product can be covered without a dedicated capping means.

[0024]

According to the present invention, when the push button switch to which the takeaway product is assigned is pressed, the cup containing the beverage ingredient for the product is carried out as the takeaway product. Therefore, according to the use environment of the vending machine, it is possible to provide only the beverage raw material to which hot water or water is not added, and it is possible to prevent the beverage from being spilled or cooled while the cup is being taken home.

In addition to the push button switch to which the take-out product is assigned, a take-out sales request button for designating that the take-out product is to be provided, and the take-out product is provided only when this button is pressed. In this case, it is possible to provide a beverage material to which hot water or water is not added according to a customer's request. Also, when the push button switch to which the take-out product is assigned is pressed, when the temperature of the hot water or water is not within the predetermined temperature range, if the hot-water or water is not at an appropriate temperature, the take-out product is provided. Also, beverage ingredients without hot water or water are provided as take-out products. Therefore, unlike the conventional case where the sale is discontinued as a sold out beverage in such a case, the product can be sold as a take-out product, so that a product sales opportunity is not missed.

As described above, according to the present invention, as long as only beverage ingredients and cups are stored in a vending machine, it is possible to avoid a suspension of sales due to hot water temperature or the like. In addition, since it is possible to sell instant beverage ingredients, it is possible to diversify products for sale. In addition, when the take-out product is carried out, if the cup is further dropped on the cup, it is possible to easily provide a cup containing only the beverage ingredient with a lid without a special capping device, Vending machines can be prevented from increasing in size and cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a basic operation of beverage mixing of a vending machine of a mixing in a cup type;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main operations of the vending machine according to the first invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the vending machine according to the second invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the vending machine according to the third invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main operations of the vending machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an outline of dropping a lid by substituting a cup;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Commodity selection means, 2 ... Hot water discharge means, 3 ... Hot water temperature detection means, 4 ... Raw material discharge means, 5 ... Cup discharge means, 6 ... Cup conveyance means, 7 ... Capping means, 8 ... Stirring means, 9
... Control unit, 10 ... CPU, 11 ... I / O, 12 ... RA
M, 13 ROM, 14 cup motor, 15 cup transport motor, 16 raw material motor, 17 hot water sales valve, 18
... Capper motor, 19 ... Stirring motor.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An in-cup mixing type vending machine, a product selection button for selecting a product, storage means for storing a product selection button to which a take-out product is allocated, and a predetermined beverage ingredient for each take-out product If the product selection button is pressed and the button is a product selection button to which a take-out product is allocated by the storage means, the take-out is provided. A vending machine wherein a predetermined beverage ingredient for a product is delivered to a beverage container by a ingredient delivery means and sold. 2. An in-cup mixing type vending machine, a product selection button for selecting a product, a storage means for storing a product selection button to which a takeaway product is allocated, and a predetermined beverage ingredient for each takeout product. A take-out sale requesting device for requesting the sale of a take-out product, wherein a product selection button is pressed, and the button is used to store the take-out product by the storage means. If the assigned product selection button is used and the take-out sale request is issued by the take-away sale requesting means, the predetermined beverage ingredient for the take-out article is delivered to the beverage container by the ingredient delivery means and sold. Vending machine characterized by the following. 3. An in-cup mixing type vending machine, a commodity selection button for selecting a commodity, storage means for storing a commodity selection button to which a takeaway commodity is allocated, and a predetermined beverage ingredient for each takeaway commodity. The product selection button is pressed, and the storage device allocates the take-out product by the storage means. When the temperature of the drinking water is a product selection button and the temperature of the drinking water is not within the predetermined temperature range, the predetermined beverage ingredient for the take-out article is carried out to the beverage container by the ingredient carrying means and sold. And vending machine. 4. A vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a beverage container supply means for supplying the beverage container by dropping the beverage container every time the beverage is sold, wherein the beverage ingredient is a beverage. A vending machine wherein a beverage container is further dropped into the beverage container after being carried out to the container.