JPH05182074A - Vending machine of flower - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely manage the water of cut flowers and prevent them from being damaged by containing the cut flowers in the respective containing segments of a container installed in a box, moving the container to make the flowers to continuously appear to the output port of the box and setting the bottom part of the container to be a water tank. CONSTITUTION:When a product selection switch is turned on, a moving device is operated to move the container 3, the containing segments containing the flowers appear to the output port one by one so that it becomes possible to fetch the cut flowers. As the lower part of the cut flowers is always in the state of soaking in storage water, the cut flowers are supplied with enough water. Consequently, the contained cut flowers do not wither before sales. Besides. when the container 3 is installed in the box in the state of inclining upward in a front direction, the flower part of the cut flowers can be seen well from the transparent part. Furthermore, a half nut, etc., are used as a nut component 37 so that the container 3 can easily be removed from the box at the time of washing the water tank, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine for flowers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The main elements required for a vending machine for cut flowers are:
Ensure that water management is carried out so that the stored cut flowers do not shrink before they are sold, and that the stored cut flowers are not damaged while being sent to the outlet. Is.

However, none of the conventional vending machines are suitable for flowers in consideration of such factors. An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine for flowers which satisfies the above-mentioned elements peculiar to cut flowers.

[0004]

A vending machine 1 for flowers according to the present invention has a container 3 housed in a box 6 having an outlet 5 for cut flowers. The container 3 has a bottom part serving as a water tank 23, and a container part 2 for accommodating cut flowers so that the lower part thereof can be put in and taken out so as to be immersed in water is arranged in parallel. Then, the container 3 is moved so that each containing compartment appears at the outlet 5 by the operation of the moving device 7 by turning on the product selection switch after inserting the currency or its substitute. It is a feature.

The container 3 is so arranged that the cut flowers housed in the respective storage compartments are displayed in an inclined state toward the transparent portion 18 of the cut flowers forming the front surface of the box, and the lower part of the cut flowers is soaked in the water stored in the aquarium. It is better to tilt it upward and store it so that it will be in the closed state.

The moving device 7 is preferably formed as a device having a screw shaft 21 which is rotated by an electric motor 22 and a nut member 37 which is provided in a housing and is screwed to the screw shaft 21. In this case, in order to allow the container to be taken out of the box, the nut member 37 is formed as a half nut for fixing the container, and the nut member 37 is separated from the screw shaft 21 by lifting the container. Is good. Alternatively, it is preferable that the container 3 be detachable from the nut member 37 screwed onto the screw shaft 21.

The transparent portion 18 of the cut flower forming the front surface of the box is preferably formed by a mesh member 17 having a mesh size that allows the cut flower to be seen through but does not allow the cut flower to be taken out.

[0008]

However, when the commodity selection switch is turned on after the currency or its substitute (card, etc.) has been inserted, the moving device 7 is operated as required to move the containing body 3 and one containing compartment containing cut flowers. Each of them appears at the take-out port 5 and the cut flowers can be taken out. Since the lower part of the stored cut flowers is constantly immersed in the water stored in the water tank 23, sufficient water is supplied to the cut flowers. Therefore, there is no fear that the cut flowers stored will wither before they are sold.

The container 3 is tilted upward toward the front.
When the item is stored in the box 6, the flower portion of the cut flowers contained therein can be seen well in the see-through part of the box, which can increase the willingness to purchase.

When the moving device 7 is composed of the screw shaft 21 and the nut member 37 that is screwed into the screw shaft 21, a half nut is used as the nut member 37 or the housing 3 is detachable from the nut member 37. At times, the container can be easily removed from the box 6 for cleaning the water tank.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4, a vending machine 1 for flowers according to the present invention 1
Is to move a horizontally long container 3 in which a storage compartment 2 for storing cut flowers (for example, a bouquet) F is arranged side by side in a box 6 having an outlet 5. By the operation of the device 7, the container can be moved laterally (movement in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2) so that one containing compartment appears at the outlet 5.

The box 6, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with four stages of moving space portions 10 each having a lateral width of about twice the length and for accommodating the housing body so as to be laterally movable in a state of being inclined upward toward the front. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, parallel upper guide rails 11 and 12 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of each moving space portion on inclined frames 13, 13 and 13 provided on both side portions and an intermediate portion of the box. It has been installed. A lower guide rail 14 which is parallel to the upper guide rail 11 on the lower surface portion is provided on the inclined frame below the lower surface portion of the moving space 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at the central portion of the front surface of the box 6, the outlets 5 are provided so as to communicate with the respective moving spaces, and these four outlets are one sheet. It can be opened and closed at the same time by the opening / closing lid 15. The lower two tiers of the outlet are blocked by a blocking piece 16 (formed as an L-shaped frame shown in FIG. 5 or a blind plate shown in FIG. 6) at a third portion of the lower right half thereof. .. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 for convenience, the moving space located on the right side of the outlet 5 is the right moving space 10a, and the outlet 5 is
The moving space portion located on the left side of is the left moving space portion 10b.

The right side of the outlet on the front of the box is
As shown in FIG. 1, the sloped surface is covered by, for example, a mesh member 17 in the form of a lattice, which has a mesh size that allows the cut flowers to be seen through but does not allow the cut flowers to be taken out. The front see-through portion 18 including the mesh member 17 ensures ventilation of the moving space portion. The left side of the outlet on the front of the box is blind, and a monetary device 19 is provided on the front side of the box.

The side surface on the left end side of the box can be opened and closed by an opening / closing door 20 as shown in FIG.
Each container 3 can be removed from the box 6 by opening 0.

In the present embodiment, the moving device 7 is provided in each of the moving spaces, and the lower guide rail 14 is provided.
A screw shaft 21 extending in the longitudinal direction of the moving space portion is provided at the lower part of the above, and the screw shaft 21 can be intermittently rotated by an electric motor 22 disposed below the right side moving space portion 10a. The amount of rotation of the screw shaft 21 per one time by the electric motor 22 is taken out one by one by the ON operation of the push button switch S (FIG. 1) after the currency or the substitute thereof is put into the money device 19. It is set so that the container 3 can be moved laterally so as to appear in 5.

In the container 3, the first container 3a shown in FIG. 8 accommodated in the lower two-stage moving space and the first container 3a shown in FIG. 9 accommodated in the upper two-stage movable space. There are two containers 3b.

The first container 3a is provided with a water tank 23 having a trapezoidal cross section whose upper end is wide and widened upward. The water tank 23 is slanted upward at both end portions and a central portion of the water tank. Lower portions of the protruding columns 25, 25 having the same length are fixed to the inner surfaces of the opposing side walls 26, 26.

The upper partition member 27 is fixed to the upper end of the column, and the lower partition member 29 is fixed to the middle portion thereof. In the upper partition member 27, both ends of the parallel side frame pieces 30 and 30 fixed to the upper ends of the front and rear columns of columns are connected by the end frame pieces 31 and 31, and the both end frame pieces 3 are formed.
The central portions of 1, 31 are connected by a central piece 32. In addition, the side frame pieces 30, 30 which are parallel to each other are connected by a partitioning piece 33 so as to equally divide the both end frame pieces 31, 31. As a result, rectangular compartments each having a width that is ⅔ of the width of the outlet 5 are formed adjacent to each other in the front and rear of the central piece 32.

On the other hand, the lower partition member 29 is the upper partition member 2
It is formed in a net-like shape with sections facing each section of No. 7. Then, the cut flowers F are housed in the housing compartment 2 which is regulated to vertically opposed compartments so that they can be taken in and out (FIG. 3). The size of each partition of the upper partition member 27 is set so that the cut flowers cannot be taken out because the right half or the left half is blocked by the blocking piece 16. When the cut flower F is stored in the storage compartment,
As shown in FIG. 3, the flower portion F1 thereof is above the upper container 3 and the lower portion F2 of the cut flower is soaked in the stored water W in the aquarium.

The container 3a is housed in the moving space in a state of being inclined upward toward the front, and the inclination angle is such that the flower can be easily seen by the purchaser in the front see-through portion 18 of the box. In addition, the lower part of the cut flower is set to be in a state of being immersed in the stored water in the water tank, for example, with an inclination of about 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

A nut member 37 that can be screwed into the screw shaft 21 is provided at the left end of the lower surface of the bottom of the container 3a. The nut member 37 in this embodiment is shown in FIGS.
4, as shown in FIG. 8, it is formed with a half nut 37a that can be screwed into the rear surface side portion of the screw shaft 21. Also water tank 2
Wheels 40 capable of rolling the lower guide rails 14 are pivotally supported at the portions near both ends of the projecting piece 39 projecting along the front surface of the housing 3 and along the front and rear edges of the housing 3a. The wheels 40 capable of rolling the front guide rails 11 and 12 facing each other in the front and rear direction are provided at the portions near both ends of the projecting pieces 41 and 41 that are protruded.
Is pivotally supported.

Then, every time a currency or a card in place of this is inserted into the money device 19 and the push button switch is turned on, the electric motor 22 rotates the screw shaft 21 by a required amount. As a result, the half nut 37a that is screwed into the screw shaft 21 is screwed forward, and the wheels 3 roll along with the half nut 37a, causing the container 3a to move from the right side moving space 10a toward the left side moving space 10b. It can be moved laterally by half a block.

The second container 3b is the first container 3a.
Is different from the configuration of the storage compartment. That is, in FIG. 9, the upper partitioning member 27 is configured such that the upper ends of the parallel side frame pieces 42, 42 fixed to the upper ends of the front and rear pillar rows are connected to the end frame pieces 43, 43.
The central portions of the both end frame pieces 43, 43 are connected by the central piece 45. Further, the front side frame piece and the central piece are connected by a partition piece 46 in order from the left end at an interval equal to the width of the take-out port 5 to form a rectangular compartment 47 in parallel, and the right end has a take-off piece. An empty section 49 having a width half the width of the exit is formed. Further, the rear side frame piece and the center piece are connected by a partition piece 46 in order from the right end with an interval equal to the width of the take-out port 5 to form a rectangular compartment 47 in parallel, and the left end has a take-off piece. An empty section 49 having a width half the width of the exit is formed. As a result, the front and rear sections have a staggered arrangement.

On the other hand, the lower partition member 29 is the upper partition member 2
It is formed in a net-like shape with compartments facing each compartment. Then, cut flowers can be stored in the storage compartment 2 regulated in the compartments (excluding the vacant compartments) facing each other vertically. The size of the compartment 47 is set so that the cut flowers can be taken out when the entire area appears at the take-out port.

The configuration of the storage compartments is made different between the first and second storage bodies in order to store a plurality of types of cut flowers of different sizes in the box.

Next, the action of lateral movement of the first container 3a will be described with reference to FIG. 10, and the action of lateral movement of the second container 3b will be described with reference to FIG.

Regarding the first container After the cut flowers are housed in the respective housing compartments of the first container 3a,
It is assumed that the left half of the storage compartment 2a at the left end of the front row is blocked by the blocking piece (hatched portion) 16 and the left half of the storage compartment 2b at the left end of the rear row appears at the outlet 5 (FIG. 10).
A). In this state, the cut flowers of the storage compartments 2a and 2b cannot be taken out. Now, when the currency is put into the money device 19 and the push button switch is turned on, the moving device 7 moves the container 3a toward the left by a half section. As a result, the entire storage compartment 2b at the left end of the rear row appears at the outlet 5 (FIG. 10B). In this state, the storage compartment 2 at the left end of the rear row
The cut flowers stored in b can be taken out. Since the left half of the storage compartment 2a at the left end of the front row is shielded by the blocking piece 16, the cut flowers in the storage compartment 2a cannot be taken out. When the container 3a is moved to the left by half a compartment by the next ON operation of the push button switch, the accommodation compartment 2a at the left end of the front row is disengaged from the blocking piece 16 and the whole appears at the outlet 5, and the first row in the rear row. Second storage section 2c
Half appears at outlet 5 (FIG. 10C). In this state,
The cut flowers stored in the storage compartment 2a at the left end of the front row can be taken out. By repeating this in sequence, the cut flowers accommodated in the accommodation compartments in the front row and the rear row can be taken out alternately. FIG. 10D shows a final state in which the container 3a is accommodated in the left-side movement space portion 10b by the moving device, and the cut flowers accommodated in the accommodation section 2d at the right end of the front row are taken out to accommodate the container 3a. The cut flowers inside are no longer sold.

About the second container After the cut flowers are housed in the respective housing compartments of the second container 3b,
The initial state is such that half of the storage compartment 2e at the left end of the front row appears at the outlet 5 and the empty compartment 49 at the left end of the rear row appears at the outlet 5 (FIG. 11A). In this state, when currency is inserted into the money device 19 and the push button switch is turned on, the moving device 7
Moves the container 3b leftward by half a partition. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the entire storage compartment 2e at the left end of the front row appears at the outlet 5, and half of the storage compartment 2f at the left end of the rear row appears at the outlet 5. In this state, the cut flowers stored in the storage section 2e at the left end of the front row can be taken out. By the next push-button switch operation, the entire storage compartment 2g at the left end of the rear row now appears at the outlet 5, and half of the second storage compartment 2h in the front row appears at the outlet 5 (FIG. 11).
C). This allows the cut flowers stored in the storage compartment 2g at the left end of the rear row to be taken out. By repeating this in sequence, the cut flowers accommodated in the accommodation compartments in the front row and the rear row can be taken out alternately. FIG. 11D shows a final state in which the second container 3b has been completely moved into the left-side movement space portion 10b by the moving device, and the cut flowers stored in the storage compartment in the rear row are taken out to be stored. The cut flowers in the body 3b are no longer sold.

After the cut flowers have been sold in this way,
When it is necessary to remove the container from the box when cleaning the water tank, lift the container 3 and lift the half nut 3
7a is separated from the screw shaft 21 (see the separated state of the container shown by the upper solid line in FIG. 3), and the container is pulled out to the left.

The form of the accommodation compartment of the other accommodation body is not limited to that shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, and in short, it is sufficient that each accommodation compartment is made to appear at the outlet by the operation of the moving device. Therefore, the form of the compartment is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. For example, the central piece 32 in FIG. 8 may be omitted.

The moving device may be any device that moves the containing body so that each containing compartment appears at the outlet, and means for moving the containing body is, for example, by laterally moving by pulling the containing body through a wire or a chain. It is possible to use various well-known moving means such as those for moving the container by screwing a nut member onto a screw shaft attached to the container and rotating the nut member by a required amount.

12 to 13 show other examples of the container. The accommodation body 3 shown in FIG. 12 is configured by attaching the independent upper opening accommodation compartments 2 in parallel to the endless belt 50 that circulates in the horizontal plane, and one accommodation is performed by the operation of the moving device when the switch is turned on. The compartments are arranged so as to circulate so as to appear at the outlet 5. The housing 3 shown in FIG. 13 has independent housing compartments 2 arranged side by side on the peripheral edge of the upper surface of a disc body that rotates around the axis, and the housing 3 is housed by operating the moving device 7 when the switch is turned on. The compartments are adapted to rotate so as to appear at the outlet 5.

[0034]

According to the present invention, cut flowers are accommodated in the respective accommodation compartments of the container housed in the box, and the basic configuration is adopted in which the container is moved so that the accommodated cut flowers sequentially appear at the outlet of the box. Therefore, the cut flowers can be sold one by one according to the movement of the container. In addition, since the bottom of the container is a water tank,
The lower part of the stored cut flowers is constantly immersed in the water stored in the aquarium, so that the cut flowers are sufficiently supplied with water. Since the water management of cut flowers is carried out reliably in this way, there is no fear that the stored cut flowers will wither before they are sold. Further, unlike the case of the conventional product drop type vending machine, the present invention is configured so that the stored cut flowers are sent to the outlet by the movement of the container, and the cut flowers are not moved at all. Therefore, there is no risk that the cut flowers will be damaged during delivery to the outlet.

When the container is housed with the container tilted upward toward the front, the flower portion of the cut flowers contained in the container is clearly visible in the see-through part of the box, which may increase the willingness to purchase.

In the case where the moving device is configured to include a screw shaft that is rotated by an electric motor and a nut member that is provided on the housing and screwed into the screw shaft, the nut member is fixed to the housing. When the container is detachably attached to the nut that is formed as a half nut or that is screwed into the screw shaft, the container can be easily removed from the box when cleaning the water tank.

When the front see-through portion of the box is formed of a net member having a mesh size that allows the cut flowers to be seen through but does not allow the cut flowers to be taken out, the ventilation in the box is easy and reliable. Secured in.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a storage state of a container in a box.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a storage state of a container together with a configuration of a moving device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a blocking piece.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the blocking piece.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a moving space portion and an outlet.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a first container.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a second container.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of lateral movement of the first container.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of lateral movement of the second container.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the container together with its action.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the container together with its operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Flower vending machine 2 Storage compartment 3 Storage body 5 Outlet 6 Box 7 Moving device 17 Net member 18 Cut flower see-through portion 21 Screw shaft 22 Electric motor 23 Water tank 37 Nut member

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A container 3 housed in a box 6 having a cut flower take-out port 5 has a bottom portion serving as a water tank 23, and a cut flower is accommodated so that the lower portion thereof can be put in and taken out so that the cut flower can be immersed in water. The compartments 2 are arranged side by side, and the accommodation body 3 is moved so that each accommodation division appears at the outlet 5 by the operation of the moving device 7 by turning on the switch. vending machine. 2. The container 3 is such that the cut flowers housed in the respective housing compartments are displayed in an inclined state toward the transparent portion 18 of the cut flowers forming the front surface of the box, and the lower part of the cut flowers is a water tank. 2. The vending machine for flowers according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine for flowers is housed in the box 6 inclining upward toward the front so as to be immersed. 3. The flower according to claim 1, wherein the moving device 7 includes a screw shaft 21 rotated by an electric motor 22 and a nut member 37 provided on the housing and screwed onto the screw shaft 21. Vending machine. 4. The nut member 37 is formed as a half nut fixed to the housing body 3, and the nut member 37 is separated from the screw shaft 21 by lifting the housing body. Flower vending machine. 5. The vending machine for flowers according to claim 3, wherein the container 3 is attachable to and detachable from a nut member screwed onto the screw shaft. 6. A see-through portion 18 forming the front surface of the box.
3. The vending machine for flower vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the vending machine is formed by a net member 17 made of a mesh having a size that allows the cut flowers to be seen through but does not allow the cut flowers to be taken out.