JPH02220193A - Raw material sellout detector for cup type automatic beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is directed to a cup-type beverage vending machine that dispenses a beverage by mixing powdered raw materials and hot water, for example, with a raw material sold-out detection device attached to a raw material container. The present invention relates to a raw material sold-out detection device for a cup-type beverage vending machine, which can be applied to a device that detects sold-out of powdered raw materials using a sensor.

[Prior Art] As a device of this kind, a raw material sold-out detection device for a cup-type beverage vending machine shown in FIG. 2 is conventionally known. In the figure, 1 is a raw material box that stores raw materials for products to be sold, 2 is a raw material, and 3 is a powder sensor.

When the raw material 2 in the raw material box 1 is in contact with the powder sensor 3, the oscillation of the vibrating surface is stopped and the presence of the raw material is detected. When there is no contact, that is, when there is oscillation, it is detected that there is no raw material. When the powder sensor 3 detects that the powder is sold out, there is still a little raw material 2 left, so from then on, a countdown is performed by subtracting the number of cups for each sale from a preset count on an electronic counter (not shown), and the slow amount (- the specified raw material discharge amount for sales) The products are sold in such a way that there is no remaining amount to the extent that no change occurs. The above will be explained based on FIG. First, if there is raw material in step 1, then in step 2 a predetermined number of cups (the number of cups to be sold after the powder sensor detects that the product is sold out) is set on the counter. If the powder sensor detects that there is no raw material in step 1, check if the counter is zero in step 3. If it is not zero, check if there is a sale in step 4, subtract 1 from the counter value in step 5, and go to step 3. When the number reached zero, in step 6, the raw material was sold out and all the drinks being used were sold out.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a conventional cup-type beverage vending machine, the number of cups to be sold after the powder sensor 3 detects that it is sold out, that is, 3 or 4 cups, is determined according to the data preset on the counter. The product is not considered sold out unless it is sold out the same number of times in a row.

Therefore, when a cavity is created between the powder sensor 3 and the raw material for some reason, the raw material condition changes during the sale of the preset number of cups and the cavity disappears, the powder sensor 3 detects the presence of the raw material and returns to the normal state.

However, since the inside of an automatic vending machine is generally humid, cavities tend to form inside the canister, especially when the canister is full of raw materials and there is no sales of raw materials for a certain period of time. 3,
There was a problem that the product remained sold out even during the sale of four cups, and therefore the product was sold out even if the ingredients were full.

An object of the present invention is to provide a raw material sold-out detection device for a cup-type beverage vending machine that eliminates the above-mentioned problems and aims to improve sales efficiency.

[Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes installing a sold-out detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the powder or granular material at a predetermined position in a raw material container that stores the powder or granular material. In the raw material sold-out detection device for a cup-type beverage vending machine, which detects the remaining amount of raw material in the raw material container based on the oscillation state of the sold-out detection means, the raw material and hot water are mixed based on the selected beverage. a sales control means for supplying the beverage; a door opening detection means; a count storage means for setting and storing a predetermined number of sales when the door is opened and the sold-out state changes from a sold-out state to a no-sold state according to the sold-out detection means; , a determining means that does not determine that the item is sold out even if it is detected that the item is sold out before the predetermined number of items are sold.

[Operation] According to the present invention, the powder sensor confirms whether the product is sold out, and if the product is sold out, data of n2 (3 cups) is set on the counter. Next, check to see if the door is open, and if it is, the powder sensor detects that the powder sensor changes from sold out to no longer sold out. In other words, if the raw material is empty and the door is heard and the raw material is replenished, it is assumed that the raw material has been replenished to a certain level and the counter is displayed. A value of about 20 cups is set as the predetermined number.

Thereafter, when the door is closed and normal sales are possible, sales continue with 20 cups around LOOP1.

When the sales of the 20 cups are completed, the counter changes to a set of 3 cups, and the conventional sell-out control is performed.

[Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of this invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program of this invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a control section, which performs sell-out control for beverage sales.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this configuration, first, in step 1, the powder sensor 3 confirms whether the product is sold out, and if it is sold out, in step 2, data of n2 (3 cups) is set on the counter. Next, in step 3, check whether the door is open, and if it is open, then in step 4, if the powder sensor 3 indicates that it is not sold out, that is, if the raw material is empty and the door is heard and the raw material is replenished, the raw material is over a certain level. Approximately 2 nl will be added to the counter in step 6 as being replenished.
Set the data for 0 cups. After that, in step 3, the door is closed and the normal sales are possible, and in step 8, 2
Sales continue until 0 cups reach LOOPl.

When 20 cups have been sold, the counter is switched to a 3-cup set in step 7, and from then on, the conventional sell-out control is used, that is, 3 cups are sold and the set is sold out.

Even if the door is opened and only a small amount of raw material is replenished from the empty state, it will not be a problem because the installation of the powder sensor 3 has a sales guarantee for n1 and n2 due to its position.

[Effects of the Invention] According to this invention, the raw material absorbs moisture and a hollow part is created on the powder sensor surface, so even if it is detected that the raw material is sold out even though there is enough raw material, it will no longer be a sold-out as it should have been, and sales efficiency can be increased. It is possible to increase the number of products sold.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a claim correspondence diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a structural side view showing a conventional device, Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a program of the conventional device, and Fig. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration diagram shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the program of the present invention. 1...Raw material box, 2...Raw material, 3...Powder sensor, 4Figure 3Figure 2Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A sold-out detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the powder or granular material is installed at a predetermined position in the raw material container that stores the powdered or granular material, and the oscillation state of the sold-out detection means indicates that the inside of the raw material container is A raw material sold-out detection device for a cup-type beverage vending machine configured to detect the remaining amount of raw materials in a cup-type beverage vending machine includes a vending control means for mixing raw materials and hot water based on a selected beverage and supplying a beverage; a detection means; a counting storage means for setting and storing a predetermined number of products to be sold when the door is opened and the sold-out state changes from a sold-out state to a non-sold-out state according to the sold-out detection means; 1. A raw material sold-out detection device for a cup-type beverage vending machine, characterized in that it is equipped with a determining means to prevent the raw material from being sold out even if the cup-type beverage vending machine is sold out.