JPH02148389A - hot item vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the safety of the machine against mischief, etc., and, at the same time, to smoothly heat and carry a commodity so that the vending time of the machine can be reduced by providing an induction heating coil section at a carrying end section and controlling the power supply to the section in accordance with vending operations. CONSTITUTION:A canned commodity 6 is maintained at a preheating temperature by means of the 2nd coil 7b of an induction heating coil 7 provided in a commodity housing section 3 at the carrying end section where a vending mechanism 3a is incorporated. The canned commodity 6 is ejected to a commodity taking-out port in accordance with a vending signal after the commodity 6 is heated to a prescribed temperature by means of the 1st coil 7a of the coil 7 to which power supply is made by means of a controlling section 8 is accordance with vending commands. Therefore, safety of the machine against mischief, etc., can be improved and, at the same time, the vending time of the machine can be reduced, because the heating and ejection of the commodity can be performed smoothly.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention heats a part containing a beverage such as coffee or tea in a can (hereinafter referred to as a "canned product") in a machine during a sales operation. This invention relates to a hot product vending machine that sells hot beverages.

[Conventional technology]

The above-mentioned hot product vending machine is equipped with an induction heating coil that heats canned products in contact with the product take-out port 9, for example, on the product delivery route in the machine, and stores them in the product storage section at room temperature or low temperature. Canned products are removed from the product storage section for each sale and first introduced into an induction heating coil, where they are heated to a predetermined sales temperature (6
There is a known method in which the canned product is heated to around 0° C., then taken out from the induction heating coil and sent to the product outlet. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-77596) [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, as mentioned above, an induction heating coil is installed near the product outlet, and the canned products taken out from the product storage section in response to a sales command are first guided. The conventional configuration in which the product is guided through a heating coil to be heated to a sales temperature and then transported to a product outlet has a drawback such as a sudden rise. In other words, (1) Since the induction heating coil is located near the product outlet, it is easy to be tampered with by inserting your hand through the product outlet, and if you touch the induction heating coil while it is energized, you may receive an electric shock or burns. Safety issues remain, such as the risk of

(2) The product delivery route from the product storage area in the aircraft to the induction heating coil is long, and if the transfer posture of the canned product taken out from the product storage area is disrupted during this process, it will be handed over to the induction heating coil in the correct orientation. In addition, a handling mechanism is required to deliver the canned product to the product outlet after heating, which complicates the structure.

(3) In the method where canned products taken out from the product storage section at the time of sale are guided to an induction heating coil and then heated from the storage temperature to the heating temperature, the product is taken out from the product takeout port after a sales command is given. The sales time, that is, the buyer's waiting time, is long, which can be frustrating for the buyer, especially when purchasing hot items in succession.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above points, and not only improves safety against mischief, but also enables smooth heating and unloading of canned products at the time of sale with a simple internal configuration. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hot product vending machine that can shorten the time required.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, the hot product vending machine of the present invention is equipped with an induction heating coil installed at the delivery end of the product storage section and placed opposite to the stored products. The heating coil is energized and controlled to heat and raise the temperature of the canned product waiting for sale to the selling temperature, and then the canned product is discharged from the product storage section to the product takeout port.

In addition, in the above-mentioned hot product vending machine, in order to shorten the sales time, the induction heating coil is installed in the first coil facing the can product with the first sales ranking, and the first coil facing the can product with the first and second sales ranking. and a second coil facing the first coil, the first coil is an induction heating coil for keeping the first canned product in the sales order at a predetermined preheating temperature by being energized while the product is on standby, and the second coil is an induction heating coil. At the time of sale, electricity is applied to heat and raise the temperature of the first can product in the sales ranking from the preheating temperature to the sales temperature, and at the same time, the can product in the second sales ranking is heated and raised from the storage temperature to the preheating temperature. It shall be configured as an induction heating coil.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, when a vending command is given to a vending machine,
Before discharging canned products from the product storage section, the induction heating coil is energized by a command from the control section.

As a result, the canned products waiting on the exit side of the product storage section are heated to the selling temperature at the storage position. In this case, the induction heating coil is energized by timer control or by detecting the heating temperature of the canned product. When the heating process for the canned product is completed, the bending mechanism of the product storage section is operated to transport the heated hot product from the product storage section to the product outlet.

In addition, the induction heating coil installed at the product delivery end of the product storage section is configured by combining the heat retention heating coil and the sales heating coil as described above, and each coil is placed on standby for sales, Ui sales, etc. By controlling the energization according to the operation, the first can product in the sales order is always maintained at the preheating temperature while waiting for sales, and at the time of sale, the first can product in the sales order is kept at the preheating temperature to the sales temperature. At the same time, the second can product is heated and raised from the storage temperature to the preheating temperature. As a result, the heating time required for canned products at the time of sale can be halved compared to the case where canned products are directly heated from storage temperature to sales temperature.

〔Example〕

Fig. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a hot product vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a control system diagram of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram of another embodiment that is a further development of the above embodiment. control system diagram,
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the induction heating coil in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the heating operation of a can product according to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

First, in Fig. 1, 1 is the cabinet of the vending machine, 2 is the front door, 3 is the serpentine product storage section housed inside the cabinet 1, and 3a is the product storage section 3 for each column. A bending mechanism is provided at the end of the product outlet, 4 is a product takeout port opened in the front door 2, 5 is a product delivery chute for delivering the canned product discharged from the product storage section 3 to the product takeout port 4, and 6 is the canned product. . The canned products 6 are stored in a row in the aisle in each column of the product storage section 3, and are stored here at room temperature or low storage temperature.

On the other hand, in each column of the product storage section 3, an induction heating coil 7 for heating the product is disposed at the product delivery end on the opposite side of the bending mechanism 38 with the can product 6 interposed therebetween. The induction heating coil 7 is made by winding a coil wire into a flat shape so as not to obstruct the operation of dispensing the product from the product storage section 3, and is an oscillator that is operated by a command from a control section indicated by the reference numeral 8. 9 (high-frequency power source) and is excited and placed opposite to the induction heating coil 7 to heat the canned product 6 stored in the product storage section 3 on the spot by induction heating. The principle of induction heating is well known, so we will not explain its operation here.

Next, along with the control system diagram shown in Figure 2, sales of can products,
The heating operation will be explained. First, in the sales standby state,
The canned product 6 is stored and held in the product storage section 3 as shown by the solid line in the figure. When a sales command is given to the control unit 8, a product heating signal is first output to the oscillator 9.
is activated, and the induction heating coil 7 corresponding to the selected product column is energized. As a result, the first canned product in the lowest sales ranking in the corresponding column is heated by induction.

The heating of the product here is controlled by a timer built into the control unit 8, so that the canned product 6 is heated from the storage temperature to the predetermined sales temperature (60°C).
This can be carried out by setting the induction heating time so that the temperature rises to around 30°F (℃), or by detecting the heating temperature of the canned product 6 with a temperature sensor and controlling the energization so that this detected temperature value becomes the predetermined sales temperature. Ru.

When the induction heating process for the canned product 6 described above is completed, a bend signal is then applied from the control section 8 to the bending mechanism 3a of the product storage section 3, and the heated canned product 6 is carried out. Also,
The canned product 6 discharged from the product storage section 3 rolls on the inclined surface of the product delivery chute 5 and is delivered to the product removal port 4.

At this point, one vending operation is completed, and the vending machine returns to the vending standby state again.

By the way, according to the above configuration, the induction heating coil 7 is installed in the product storage section 3 in the warehouse far away from the product takeout port 4, so the induction heating coil 7 is installed in the product storage section 3 in the warehouse, which is far away from the product takeout port 4.
Even if you put your hand in, it will not reach the induction heating coil 7, and there is no risk of being tampered with, electric shock, or burns, so it is safe. In addition, since the canned product 6 is heated to the selling temperature at the storage position of the product storage section 3, after heating, the canned product 6 can be simply taken out from the product storage section 3, just like a normal vending machine. The product is then transported to the product outlet 4. In other words, unlike the conventional system, there is a posture control for guiding canned products taken out from the product storage section to a separate induction heating coil, and a handling mechanism that takes out the cans from the induction heating coil and sends them to the product takeout port after the product is heated. Induction heating of canned products 6 without any need and without any trouble in transporting the products! II output can be performed smoothly.

Next, an embodiment which is a further development of the above embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. In other words, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the canned product is heated from the storage temperature to the selling temperature during the sales operation, whereas in this embodiment, the canned product to be sold next is heated during the sales operation. The product is kept warm at a predetermined preheating temperature, and then heated from the preheating temperature to the sales temperature at the time of sale.

In order to carry out such a heating method, the induction heating coil 7 installed at the delivery end of the product storage section 3 includes a first coil 7a for heat retention and a second coil 7 for sales heating.
It is constructed by combining two coils. Here, for the canned products 6 stored in line in the delivery end side passage in the column in the product storage section 3, I,
The first canned product in the sales ranking with the symbols n and m! , the second one is represented by ■, and the third one is represented by ■.As shown in FIG. Coils 7a and 7b face the first and second can products L and ■ in the sales order so as to apply a magnetic field of the same strength to each can product.
The coil size, number of turns per coil, and coil installation position are selected. Furthermore, each coil 7a, 7b and a high frequency oscillator 9
A power supply changeover switch 10 is provided in the power supply circuit between the canned product I and a temperature sensor 11 that outputs a product keeping temperature in opposition to the canned product I that is ranked first in sales order. Note that as the power supply changeover switch 10, a non-contact type electronic switch element can also be adopted and implemented.

Next, the sales and heating operations of canned products with the above configuration will be explained. First, during sales standby, the contact corresponding to the first coil 7a of the power supply changeover switch 10 is turned on by a command from the control unit 8, and in this state, a product heating signal is given to the oscillator 9 to energize the first coil 7a. At the same time, the temperature sensor 11
The temperature setting signal is taken into the control unit 8 and the energization is controlled.
The first canned product ■ in the sales ranking is kept warm at a predetermined preheating temperature.

When a sales command is given in the above-mentioned state, the power supply selector switch 10 is first switched to the second coil 7b side while the canned product is stored in the product storage section 3, and then the oscillator 9 is activated by timer control or the like. Then, the second coil 7b is energized.

As a result, the first can product 1 in the sales ranking, which had been kept warm while waiting for sales, is heated and raised from the preheating temperature to the sales temperature, and at the same time, the second can product ■ is heated and heated from the storage temperature to the preheating temperature. be done. When this sales heating step is completed, a bend signal is given to the bending mechanism 3a of the product storage section 3 as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
is dispensed and carried out to the product take-out port. Additionally, when one can product is dispensed, the subsequent can products stored in the product storage section 3 are moved, and the can products ■ that were previously placed second and third in line are moved.

■ moves to the first and second positions, respectively, and at the same time the power supply mode of the induction heating coil 7 changes from the second coil 7b to the first position.
coil 7a and returns to the sales standby state again.

Thereafter, each time a sales command is given, the above sales operation is repeated to sell hot items.

Can product I that corresponds to the sales and heating operations described above.

Figure 5 shows the temperature changes of (1) and (2).

Here, the storage temperature of the canned products stored in the product storage section in the warehouse is tl, and the preheating temperature is 12. Assuming the selling temperature as t3,
Preheating temperature t2- (t3-t1) /2, therefore t
3-t2-Δt1 and t2-tl-Δt2 are set to a timer so that the first coil 7a (heating for heat retention) and the second coil 7b (for heating) of the induction heating coil 7 are made equal.

By controlling the energization through a temperature sensor or the like, the first canned product I stored in the product storage section 3 in the sales order changes from the storage temperature to the preheating temperature while waiting for sales in response to the progress of the sales operation. During the sales operation, the temperature is sequentially increased from the preheating temperature to the sales temperature.

Moreover, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, the canned product to be sold next time is kept at the preheating temperature while it is on standby, so compared to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, The heating time required to raise the temperature of canned products to the selling temperature during sale can be halved, thereby shortening the selling time and making it possible to handle continuous sales.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the hot product vending machine according to the present invention is configured as described above, it exhibits a powerful effect. That is, an induction heating coil is provided at the product delivery end using the +11 product storage section, and the induction heating coil is energized and controlled in accordance with the sales operation to heat and raise the temperature of canned products waiting to be sold to the sales temperature. However, by arranging the structure so that the canned product is then dispensed from the product storage section to the product take-out port, the induction heating coil is placed separately from the product storage section and installed, for example, at the product take-out port, and the product is dispensed from the product storage section. Compared to the conventional method in which canned products are guided through an induction heating coil, heated, and then sent to the product outlet, this method is safer because there is no risk of tampering with the induction heating coil from outside the machine, electric shock, or burns. Furthermore, there is no need for any special unloading posture control to guide the canned products to the induction heating coil, as well as a handling mechanism for taking out the canned products from the induction heating coil and sending them to the product unloading port. In addition, it is possible to prevent troubles during transport.

(2) In addition, the induction heating coil in the above configuration is composed of a first coil facing the first can product in the sales ranking, and a second coil facing the second can product in the sales ranking -2. , and the first coil is energized while waiting for sales to keep the first canned product in the sales ranking at a predetermined preheating temperature. By using an induction heating coil for sales heating, which heats and raises the temperature of can products from the preheating temperature to the sales temperature, and at the same time heats and raises the temperature of the second can product in the sales ranking from the storage temperature to the preheating temperature, sales commands can be achieved. The waiting time of the purchaser from the time until the hot product is taken out to the product outlet, that is, the sales time, can be significantly shortened.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sales control system diagram in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sales control system diagram of a different embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the sales control system in Fig. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the induction heating coil in FIG. 5, and FIG. Product storage section, 3a:
Bend mechanism, 4: Product outlet, 6: Canned product, 7: Induction heating coil, 7a: First coil (for heat retention heating), 7b:
2nd coil (for sales heating), 8; Fig. 1 Fig. 4 Fig. 2 Engraving of the drawings (no changes in content) Fig. S procedural amendment C” 1, case indication Patent application Sho/3- 3θ3 // 3. Name of address related to the case of the person making the amendment

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A hot product vending machine that heats and raises the temperature of canned products stored in a product storage section in the machine at room temperature or low storage temperature to a predetermined selling temperature before selling them. The apparatus is equipped with an induction heating coil installed at the delivery end of the product storage section and placed opposite to the stored products, and controls the energization of the induction heating coil in accordance with the sales operation to bring the canned products waiting for sale to the sales temperature. 1. A hot product vending machine, characterized in that the hot product vending machine is configured to heat and raise the temperature of the canned product to a temperature of 100.degree. 2) In the hot product vending machine according to claim 1,
The induction heating coil consists of a first coil facing the first can product in the sales ranking, and a second coil facing the first and second can products in the sales ranking, and the first coil is on standby for sales. This is an induction heating coil that is used to keep the can product that is first in the sales ranking at a preheating temperature when it is energized, and the second coil is energized at the time of sale to heat the can product that is the first in the sales ranking from the preheating temperature to the sales temperature. This hot product vending machine is characterized by an induction heating coil for sales heating, which simultaneously heats and raises the temperature of the second-ranked canned product from the storage temperature to the preheating temperature.