Vending machine having a commodity column
View Patent ↗A vending machine has a support part that has a first support member extending in the right and left direction on the inside of a commodity storage chamber and a second support member extending in the front and rear direction on the inside of the commodity storage chamber, and supports a commodity column so that the commodity column is movable in the front and rear direction on the first and second support members. In the vending machine, when a support receiving part is detached from the first support member, the commodity column can be moved in the front and rear direction via the second support member, so that replenishment of commodities to the commodity column and maintenance of the commodity column can be accomplished. Both of the first support member and the second support members are located under the commodity column, and support the commodity column from the downside. Therefore, spaces for arranging support members at the right and left of the commodity column are unnecessary.
1. A vending machine comprising:
a commodity column in which commodities are arranged in a first direction which is parallel to a commodity conveying direction of the commodity column;
a support part disposed inside a commodity storage chamber, the support part comprises:
a first support member extending in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the commodity conveying direction of the commodity column and a second support member extending in the first direction, and wherein the commodity column is supported by the support part so that the commodity column is configured to move in the first direction on the first and second support members;
a support receiving part which is supported so as to be freely engaged with and disengaged from the first support member, and is formed integrally with the commodity column on an underside of the commodity column so as to regulate the movement of the commodity column in the first direction; and
a right and left regulating part configured to regulate the movement of the commodity column in the second direction by engaging the second support member.
2. The vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the support receiving part comprises a front-side support receiving part formed in a lower part on a downstream side of the commodity column in the commodity conveying direction and a plurality of rear-side support receiving parts formed in the front and rear in the lower part on a upstream side of the commodity column in the commodity conveying direction, and the rear-side support receiving parts are formed so that the commodity column is tilted in an angle when the commodity column is in a locked position.
3. The vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein a gripping part configured to engage with a user's finger is provided in a lower part on a downstream side of the commodity column in the commodity conveying direction.
4. The vending machine according to claim 2 , wherein a gripping part configured to engage with a user's finger is provided in the lower part on the downstream side of the commodity column in the commodity conveying direction.
5. The vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the vending machine further comprises:
a bucket mechanism configured to move vertically and to receive a commodity conveyed from the commodity column;
a bracket configured to detachably mount the first support member on a side wall of the commodity storage chamber; and
a detection part provided on the bracket and configured to detect a vertical position of the bucket mechanism.
6. The vending machine according to claim 2 , wherein the vending machine further comprises:
a bucket mechanism configured to move vertically and to receive a commodity conveyed from the commodity column;
a bracket configured to detachably mount the first support member on a side wall of the commodity storage chamber; and
a detection part provided on the bracket and configured to detect a vertical position of the bucket mechanism.
7. The vending machine according to claim 3 , wherein the vending machine further comprises:
a bucket mechanism configured to move vertically and to receive a commodity conveyed from the commodity column;
a bracket configured to detachably mount the first support member on a side wall of the commodity storage chamber; and
a detection part provided on the bracket and configured to detect a vertical position of the bucket mechanism.
8. The vending machine according to claim 4 , wherein the vending machine further comprises:
a bucket mechanism configured to move vertically and to receive a commodity conveyed from the commodity column;
a bracket configured to detachably mount the first support member on a side wall of the commodity storage chamber; and
a detection part provided on the bracket and configured to detect a vertical position of the bucket mechanism.