EP2031568A1 - Selling device and method for operating such selling machine and product for such a selling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a lockable cabinet (2), and a stocking device arranged in the cabinet for providing products e.g. object of utility such as ornament, to be sold. A handling device is provided for transport of desired products from the stocking device to a withdrawal tray (7), which is accessible at a front side (6) of the cabinet. The stocking device has a drum rotatable around a vertical axis, and the drum has shelves in which the products are placed, where the products are withdrawn from the shelves by the handling device. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a vending machine.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a selling device according to the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method of operating such a selling device and a product for sale with such a selling device.

State of the art

From the prior art, a variety of sales facilities has become known. These are used to sell products that are selected by a user and paid for after the election with a payment process.

For example, the shows EP 0 547 020 a vending machine for refrigerated goods. The refrigerated goods are stored in a goods magazine which comprises a plurality of goods plates arranged one above the other. The goods plates have sector-shaped goods compartments for receiving products. The goods trays can be moved step by step from tray to tray at a removal opening, wherein the removal opening is closed with a removal door. Once the user has deposited the appropriate amount of money, the door is unlocked and the user can remove the goods from the tray.

The EP 0 316 053 shows a further sales facility with a drum-like goods magazine. The goods can be removed by the user after paying through a plurality of doors.

A disadvantage of prior art vending machines is the fact that the filling of the goods magazines is very cumbersome and time consuming, since only a small number of subjects can be filled and then the drum has to be moved stepwise. The vending machines are also often suitable for food and especially drinks, but not for consumer durables, such as watches and jewelry.

In addition, it is a disadvantage that fraudulent users are able to open multiple doors at the same time and remove multiple products from the machine even though they only paid for one product.

Another disadvantage is the fact that the user must first bring the goods drum to the correct position by means of the actuation of a push-button before he can initiate the payment process and remove a desired product from the machine. As a result, the amount of time that must be spent for the purchase of products in a state-of-the-art machine is rather high.

Another disadvantage comes from the lack of flexibility of the filling of the drum. Per product, ie per level, only products can be provided, which have the same price. As a result, only a very limited range can be offered.

Furthermore, the management of the goods in a vending machine is time-consuming and error-prone. For example, it is possible that a person filling the machine does not recognize which products have been in the machine for quite some time. For this reason, the limited range is not used efficiently.

The accessibility to the interior of a vending machine of the prior art is another problem. In particular, in the case of a defect or a revision, the vending machine must be divided into many parts to gain access to the parts to be replaced.

Presentation of the invention

Based on this prior art, the invention can be based on the object to create a sales device of the type mentioned, which is particularly suitable for the sale of consumer goods such as watches and jewelry and electronic devices and can be designed comparatively space-saving.

This object is achieved by a sales device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Short description of the drawing

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Verkaufseinrich- tung,

Fig. 2

schematisch ein Schnitt durch die Verkaufseinrichtung gemäss Figur 1,

Fig. 3

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht der Bevorratungsvorrichtung und der Handhabungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 4

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht der Bevorratungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 5

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht eines Teils der Bevorratungsvorrich- tung,

Fig. 6

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht des unteren Bereiches der Handha- bungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 7

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht des oberen Bereichs der Handhabungs- vorrichtung und

Fig. 8

schematisch eine räumliche Ansicht der Handhabungsvorrichtung.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a sales facility according to the invention,

Fig. 2

schematically a section through the sales facility according to FIG. 1 .

Fig. 3

schematically a spatial view of the storage device and the handling device,

Fig. 4

schematically a spatial view of the storage device,

Fig. 5

3 is a schematic view of a part of the storage device;

Fig. 6

3 is a schematic view of the lower area of the handling device,

Fig. 7

schematically a spatial view of the upper portion of the handling device and

Fig. 8

schematically a spatial view of the handling device.

In the FIG. 1 Selling device shown has a cabinet 2, which is formed substantially rectangular, but may also have a different shape. The cabinet 2 has a front side 6, to which at least one display 24 for presenting the available products, input means 8, a removal compartment 7, means for paying the required amount of money and a slot 27 for issuing a receipt. The display 24 is arranged substantially at average eye level and the input means 8 approximately at waist height. The removal compartment 7 is located in a lower area below the input means 8 and is provided with a rearwardly hinged here not closer designated flap.

The input means 8 have a known "touch screen" with which a desired article can be selected and determined by touching the corresponding positions. However, information can also be displayed here, for example information about the existence of the existing products, as well as information about the operation of the sales device 1. In connection with the input means 8, a speech device (not shown in greater detail) is provided which feeds the user, for example via a Not shown here speaker information is acoustically available.

The means 9 for paying have, for example, a slot into which a credit card is inserted. With this credit card, the required amount of money can be debited. The corresponding acknowledgment is then output at the slot 27. Paying by credit card is just one example. There are also other means of payment conceivable here.

The display 24 is, for example, a flat screen on which the existing products are displayed graphically and with textual information. The display 24 is covered with a non-descript inscribed glass here, so that the display is protected vandalism.

Inside the cabinet 2 are according to FIG. 2 the storage device 3 and the handling device 5 are arranged. The access to the interior of the cabinet 2 is made possible by two doors 23, such as swing doors. Of these, one is Viewed from the viewer left and the other right. These doors 23 extend substantially over the entire height of the cabinet 2 and are located immediately behind the front side 6. These doors 23 are of course lockable.

The storage device 3 has a cylindrical drum 10 which is preferably circular-cylindrical and which is rotatable about a vertical axis 12 in both directions. The drum 10 is driven by a motor, not shown here. This is controlled by a control device, not shown here. The drum 10 has at its periphery a plurality of vertically extending channels 15, in each of which a plurality of compartments 11 are arranged one above the other, as in particular FIG. 5 shown. These compartments 11 each have two opposite bow-shaped supports 16, which can be removed for example by loosening screws. Each compartment 11 can accommodate a product 4. In a channel 15 thus the products 4 according to the Figures 3 and 4 be arranged in rows 13. In the circumferential direction of the drum 10 thus a plurality of such rows 13 are arranged, which extend substantially over the entire height of the drum 10 substantially. The products 4, which form these rows 13 are formed as rectangular boxes, in which the corresponding articles are housed. These items include watches, jewelry, cell phones, and the like. Of these products 4 or boxes are provided with different heights. According to FIG. 5 For example, in addition to a product 4 with a minimum height another product 4 'provided with double height. Also conceivable is another product not shown here with a triple basic height.

So that the product 4 'can be inserted with double the basic height in a corresponding tray, two opposing pads 16 are removed. This compartment then has accordingly twice the height, which is suitable for receiving the product 4 '. The width and depth is the same for all products 4 and 4 '. Only the height is thus provided in a certain grid.

The products 4 and 4 'are each provided at the front with a marking 20, for example a bar code. Instead of a bar code, other electronic identifications, for example, are also possible. The labels 20 contain the necessary information, such as information about the item, the price and the Date of Manufacture. But here are other information possible.

The handling device 5 is according to FIG. 2 between the drum 10 and the front 6 is arranged. It is also located between the two doors 23, to which they each have the same distance. The handling device 5 has according to FIG. 8 a guide device 17, a drive 31 and a vertically movable carriage 18. The guide device 17 has two parallel and spaced apart extending columns 32, which are fixedly connected to each other at the bottom and top. At these columns 32 of the carriage 18 is guided vertically movable.

The carriage 18 is driven by the drive 31 with a drive member. The drive member is for example a toothed belt which extends in the columns 32 and is connected to the carriage 18. The drive 31 here has for example a motor 14, which is controlled by a control device, not shown here. The carriage 18 can be vertically moved so that it can be positioned in front of each product 4 of a row 13. The carriage 18 can thus be moved substantially over the entire height of the drum 10 upwards and downwards. By corresponding rotation of the drum 10, moreover, each of the rows 13 can be positioned so that the corresponding row 13 is located immediately in front of the handling device 5. The products 4 are then each between the two columns 32nd

The carriage 18 is according to FIG. 6 guided by rollers 28 on the columns 32. These roles. 28 are mounted on a frame 30 which is located between the two columns 32. In the frame 30, a slider 22 is mounted horizontally limited displaceable. The slider 22 has a front opening 21, through which in each case a product 4 or 4 'can be accommodated. If a specific product 4 or 4 'of the drum 10 is to be removed with the carriage 18, the carriage 18 is moved to the corresponding product. This is done by a controlled rotation of the drum 10 and by the process of the carriage 18 in the vertical direction. If the carriage 18 is positioned in front of the desired product 4 or 4 ', the slide 22 is retracted into the corresponding channel 15 and the product 4 or 4' is charged onto the slide 22. This now moves back to a basic position and then the carriage 18 moves to the height of the removal compartment 7 and there gives the product 4 or 4 'by a vertical movement of the slider 22 from.

So that the products 4 and 4 'in the channels 15 are always aligned radially exactly, is according to FIG. 2 a vertically extending brush 25 is arranged, which in a rotation of the drum 10 respectively on the products 4 and 4 'along strips. Should one of the products 4 or 4 'move radially outward during a rotation of the drum 10, then this is again arranged by the brush 25 and accurately positioned. Instead of a brush 25, another suitable positioning device, for example an air jet, may also be provided. The brush 25 extends substantially over the entire height of the drum 10, so that each product 4 or 4 'of a row 13 are arranged simultaneously.

On the carriage 18, a means 19 is also arranged, which has a reading device with which the markings 20 can be read. The means 19 send, for example, a beam 29, for example an infrared beam, which is directed against the corresponding marking 20. In the case of a vertical movement of the carriage 18, it is preferred to read in each case all markings 20 which are located in the area of the carriage 18 or in the area of the beam 29. By moving the carriage 18 in the vertical direction and rotating the drum 10, the means 19 can thus read all the products 4 or 4 'present. The means 19 also make it possible to recognize an unoccupied compartment 11. By turning the drum 10 and moving the carriage 18, an inventory process is possible in which all the articles 4 and 4 'can be inventoried. With this process, the unoccupied compartments 11 can be detected. Such an inventory process is preferably performed after each inventory change. The process preferably takes place after at least one of the two doors 23 has been closed. The closing of the doors 23 is displayed, for example via sensors not shown here and communicated to the controller via a signal. This ensures that complete information about existing inventory is available. This information can be made available via a network not shown here, for example via the Internet. A person supervising the sales facility can then inform himself at any time about non-existing articles and can then refill the drum 10. It is also essential that only articles which are actually available in the drum 10 are displayed on the display 24. The user of the vending machine 1 can thus only require articles or products 4 or 4 ', which are actually present.

If there are products 4 or 4 'in the drum 10 which obviously have not been sold for a long time and can be referred to as so-called shelf warehouses, these can be taken from the drum 10 by means of a further process. In this process, these products are 4 and 4 'removed from the carriage 18 of the drum 10 and in the in FIG. 2 indicated container 26 stored. The container 26 can then be removed from the cabinet 2 through the corresponding door 23. The empty compartments 11 are then refilled with new products. Such an automatic process can be performed periodically.

The guide device 17 has a working position and a basic position. In the FIG. 2 The basic position is shown with excellent lines and the working position with dashed lines. By a rotation of the guide device 17 about a vertical axis, the guide device 17 can be rotated from the basic position to the working position and back to the normal position. In the FIG. 3 the guide device 17 is shown in the working position. The two columns 32 are located here in a direction tangential to the drum 10 level. In the basic position, however, the two columns 32 are located in a plane extending radially relative to the drum 10. The two columns 32 are located in the basic position behind the removal compartment 7 and at the same time in front of the row 13 of the products 4 and 4 ', which are located behind the removal compartment 7. The columns 32 thereby block access to the products 4 or 4 'from the removal compartment 7. In order to further deny this access, the corresponding column 32, which is in the basic position relative to the removal compartment 7, may have a metal sheet, not shown here, which covers the corresponding area. After each sales operation, the guide device 17 or the handling device 5 moves to the normal position, thereby ensuring said security against theft.

Hereinafter, a sales process will be described by way of example.

As mentioned above, a user of the vending machine 1 already learns via the display 24 which products 4 or 4 'are available. By touching the input means 8, the user can obtain further information about these products 4 or 4 '. Among these products, the user can make a desired selection and by appropriate input determine this product. The carriage 18 is then positioned in front of the selected product. This is done as mentioned above by appropriately rotating the drum 10 and vertical movement of the carriage 18. In order to obtain the desired product 4 or 4 ', the user must pay the appropriate amount. This is done here by inserting the credit card through the slot of the means 9. The card 9 is checked in usually and then deduct the appropriate amount. Once the amount has been debited, the carriage 18 removes the product 4 or 4 'of the drum 10 and moves to the removal compartment 7 and throws the product 4 or 4' into the removal compartment 7. The user can now buy the purchased product 4 or 4 'remove the removal compartment 7. By positioning the carriage 18 after the choice of the desired product 4 or 4 'of the time required for the sales process can be significantly shortened. Finally, the receipt is given at the slot 27, which the user can take. After a sale, the vending device 1 is ready for another sale immediately. Provision is also made for a reservation of a desired product 4 or 4 'via a network, for example online via the Internet. The reservation is maintained for a desired period of time so that the selected product can be safely purchased within that time period at the appropriate retail outlet.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

selling equipments

2

cabinet

3

storage device

4

product

5

handling device

6

front

7

withdrawal compartment

8th

input means

9

Medium (slot for card)

10

drum

11

subject

12

axis

13

line

14

engine

15

channel

16

Support (bracket)

17

guiding device

18

dare

19

Means (reader)

20

Labelling

21

opening

22

pusher

23

door

24

display

25

brush

26

Behälte

27

Slot (for receipt)

28

guide rollers

29

beam

30

frame

31

drive

32

columns

Claims (32)

A selling device with a lockable cabinet (2), at least one storage device (3) arranged in the cabinet (2) for providing a plurality of products (4) to be sold, a handling device (5) for transporting the desired product (4) from the storage device ( 3) to a on a front side (6) of the cabinet (2) accessible removal compartment (7), with the outside of the cabinet (2) arranged input means (8) and means (9) for paying the owed amount of money, characterized in that the Storage device (3) has at least one rotatable about an axis drum (10), which has a plurality of compartments (11) into which the products to be sold (4) can be inserted and from which with the handling device (5) the products (4 ) are removable. Vending device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drum (10) about a vertical axis (12) is rotatable. A selling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the compartments (11) are arranged on the circumference of the drum (10). Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the compartments (11) are arranged in vertically extending rows (13). Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drum (10) by means of a drive and in particular by means of a motor (14) is rotatable in both directions of rotation. A selling device according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive or the motor (14) with a drive member and in particular a toothed belt with the drum (10) is connected. Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in each case a plurality of compartments (11) are arranged in a vertically extending channel and open at the front (15). A selling device according to claim 7, characterized in that in said channel (15) one above the other several of said compartments (11) are arranged and that these compartments (11) each have a removable support (16) for the products (4), so that optionally superposed compartments (11) are collapsible to a corresponding larger compartment, in which a product (4) can be inserted, that has twice, three or more times the height of the smallest product (4). Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handling device (5) has a vertically movable in a guide device (17) movable carriage (18). A selling device according to claim 9, characterized in that the carriage (18) is controlled and adapted to be moved to each of the compartments (11) and to remove from the corresponding compartment (11) the product (4) stored in that compartment and to the removal compartment (7) can transport. Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the carriage (18) has means (19) for reading in each case a marking (20), for example a bar code A selling device according to claim 9 or 11, characterized in that the carriage (18) comprises gripping means (21) for gripping and transporting respectively one product (4). Vending device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the gripping means (21) each have a slide (22) which is horizontally movable under a product to be transported (4) to charge this product (4). Vending device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the carriage (18) is controllable so that it leaves all compartments (11), in the existing products (4) reads the label and that creates an inventory based on the read data is or is producible. Vending device according to claim 14, characterized in that the carriage (18) also departs empty compartments (11) and these can be registered or registered. Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the cabinet (2) has at least one door (23) and that when closing this door (23) automatically the carriage (18) is moved to perform an inventory. A selling device according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the guide device (17) is arranged between the drum (10) and the removal compartment (7) and has a basic position and a working position, whereby in the basic position behind the removal compartment (11). 7) is arranged to cover the drum (10) against access in the event of a theft attempt. Vending device according to claim 17, characterized in that the guide device (17) between the two said positions is rotatable about a vertical axis. Vending device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the guide device (17) has a cover plate which covers the removal compartment (7) at least in regions in the basic position of the guide device (17). Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the cabinet (2) has two side doors (23), wherein the one door from the viewer as seen left and the other door is arranged on the right. A selling device according to claim 20, characterized in that the guide device (17) is arranged at equal intervals between the two doors (23). A selling device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the input means (8) has a touch screen arranged on the front side (6) for selecting the desired product (4). Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that in the front side (6) a display (24) for displaying the available products (4) is arranged. Vending device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the storage device (3) comprises a brush (25), which is then provided to position the products (4) radially. Product for a sales device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that it is a commodity and is arranged in a box. Product according to claim 25, characterized in that the box has on a front side a marking (20), for example a bar code. Product according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the box is rectangular. Method for operating a sales device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that after the selection of a desired product the Handling device is moved to a removal position, and that after the confirmation of the purchase, the product is removed from the appropriate compartment and transported to the removal compartment (7). A method according to claim 28, characterized in that after a change in the inventory of products an inventory is performed, wherein the handling device substantially all subjects (4) leaves. A method according to claim 29, characterized in that the inventory is automatically initialized by closing a door (23). Method according to one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the sales device is connected to a network, in particular the network, and in that an article is reservable. Method according to one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that a process is provided in which certain products (4) of the storage device (3) are removed and placed in a cabinet (2) existing transport container (26).

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