Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an automatic vending machine,and more particularly to a novel automa~ic vending machine
having a mechanism adapted to assess the quantity of commodities
purchased, by detecting the weight of the commodities removed,
while providing a commodity-housing body in the form of a
display stand.
Description of the Prior Art
Recently, automatic vending machines have found wide
application pursuant to the popularization of super-markets
and self-service sales stations in department stores, because
such machines allow effective utilization of space at a sales
station and a saving in manpower.
At the present time, an automatic vending machine as
used in unsupervised super-markets has made a tremendous
progress in this field. Thus, description will now be given
of the aforesaid prior art automatic vending machine in con-
junction with Figs. 1 to 3 Or the accompanying drawings.
However, all Or the accompanying drawings are rirst briefly
introduced as rollows:
Fig. 1 is an outline of a display stand, in which
commodities are placed on shelves, in a usual type of market;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art auto~
matic vending machine having a considerable depth;
Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the interior of units as
used in the aforesaid prior art automatic vending machine
having a considerable depth;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment
according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4
showing the doors in an open position;
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Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the
machine of Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a view showing an arrangement of a plurality
of automatic vendlng machines according to the present invention
within a market;
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the construction of
an in-line system as used in the automatic vending machine
according to the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an off line system
: 10 of the automatic vending machine according to the present
~nvention;
Fig. 10 is a system flow-chart indicating steps of
purchasing commodities;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a shopping card as
used in the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a view showing a weighing scale arrangement;
Fig. 13 is a flow chart illustrative of a shopping
process;
Fig. l4 is a perspective view of an automatlc vending
machine according to the present invention, which includes a
single display basket;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a machine having a
door for each of the display baskets;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of machines having doors
which are positioned apart from a body proper of the machines;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the second
embodiment of the automatic vending machine according to the
present invention;
Fig. 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the
machine of Fig. 17;
- Fig. 19 is a view showing paths of light beams as
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used in the invention;
Fig. 20 is an alarm circuit diagram;
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the third embodiment
of the automatic vending machine according to the present
invention;
Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a container to
be placed in the automatic vending machine of Fig. 21;
Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the container
placed in the automatic vending machine of Fig. 21;
Fig. 24 is a view illustrative of a number-of-
commodities indicating device;
Fig. 25 i9 a transverse cross-sectional view of the
fourth embodiment of the automatic vending machine according
to the present invention;
Fig. 26 is an outline showing an arrangement of a
weighing scale;
Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 are outlines of the arrange-
ments of weighing scales which are different rrom that shown
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in Fig. 26;
Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the fifth embodi-
ment of the automatic vending machine according to the
present invention;
Fig. 30 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the
automatic vending machine of Fig. 29;
Fig. 31 is a view explanatory of a reading device;
Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the sixth
embodiment of the automatic vending machine according to the
present invention;
; Fig. 33 is a perspective view showing the bending
machine of Fig. 32, with commodities removed therefrom;
Fig. 34 is a view explanatory of a position-and- -
~ quantity-of-commodity-indicating device;
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Fig. 35 is a persective view of the automatic -
vending machine according to the present invention, in which
a position-and-quantity-of-commodity-indicating device of a
: dial type is used;
Fig. 36 is an enlarged view of the position-and-
quantity-of-commodity-indicating device of Fig. 35;
Fig. 37 is a perspective view of the seventh
embodiment of the automatic vending machine according to
the present invention;
Fig. 38 (a), (b) is a block diagram showing an
arrangement of circuits in the automatic vending machine
according to the present invention; and
Fig. 39 is a view showing one example of a loc~ing
mechanism for use with shopping cards.
Fig. 1 shows a display stand which stores or retains
-commodities on shelves. When commodities are sold in a display
stand of this type, a great number of commodities are displayed
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for purchasers and the purchasers may take away a desired
quantity out of the commodities placed on shelves, but one can
nnt automatically obtain sales-information about the commodities,
such as identification numbers, nomenclature, quantity, unit
price, total charge and the like.
Figs. 2 and 3 show an automatic vending machine having
a considerable depth, which is used in a prior art unsupervised
;,~ super-market. More particularly, a body proper of the automatic
vending machine includes: a plurality of units 1, each of which
-~, houses commodities aligned in the depthwise direction and allows
commodities to be taken out from the front; and a shopping-card
inserting slit 2, into which a shopping card is to be inserted.
Still more specifically, the units 1 are placed in the front
portion of the machine for ease in removing the commodities and
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each consists of a small door 3 which is adapted to be opened
or closed when a shopping card is inserted, a double-taking-out-
operation-preventive shutter 5 which permits only one commodity
4 to be taken out, a commodity push plate 6 adapted to push the
commodities towards a purchaser, and a drive motor 7 which
forces the commodities 4 towards the purchaser. It will be
realised that such a prior art automatic vending machine i9
composed of a large number of parts, so that the construction of
Ihe machine is complex and the machine suffers from frequent
troubles in addition to failure to move the commodities smoothly.
On the other hand, when commodities 4 are housed or
stored in an automatic vending machine, operators suffer from -
difficulty in charging these commodities into the units 1, ;
because of the small internal space of the units 1, and a
considerable time has to be expended for such an operation due
to a number of units 1. In addition, since the commodities 4
are moved by means of a drive motor 7, a purchaser has to take
out commodities one after another, when he or she wants a
plurality of commodities at a time, so that a purchaser has to
~0 wait a confiiderable time to obtain a pluraltty of the commod-
ities. Still furthermore, the large number of parts including
the drive motor 7 makes the automatic vending machine expensive.
As is apparent from the foregoing, the prior art automatic
vending machine suffers from many shortcomings.
Another prior art automatic vending machine, unlike
the aforesaid unit type machine, is so constructed that the
front of the machine is enclosed with a glass plate, and baskets
for holding the commodities are placed inside the machine behind
the glass plate. Thus, commodities to be purchased are placed
;~ 30 in a basket and then the basket is moved towards the purchaser.
This type automatic vending machine also involves the aforesaid
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sh~rtcomings experienced with a unit type automatic vending
machine.
Summary of the Invention
It is accordingly an object of the present invention
to provide an automatic vending machine which avoids the afore-
said shortcomin~s of prior art vending machines.
According to the invention there is provided an
automatic vending machine having a vessel retaining at least
. one commodity therein; a weighing scale weighing weights of
said vessel including said commodity and converting said
weights into an electric signal as an output; and means for
. electrically calculating the numerical values to decide the :
quantitly of said commodity in accordance with said electri-
cal signal; wherein said commodity retained on the vessel can
be taken out when a shopping card is inserted in a shopping-
; card-inserting slit provided on the body Or the machine; and
wherein commodities can be selected by hands Or a customer
and desired quantities Or commodities can be taken out by
the customer; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT sald shopplng aard is a
:: 20 lock-releasing and storing medium having a sel~ memorizing
:~ function; a door-lock releasing function and a door provided
.~ in the front of said body; means for releasing said door,
when said shopping card is inserted in said shopping-card-
inserting slit; means ror maintaining said door in its closed
position, when said shopping card is not inserted in said
; slit; means for precluding the removal Or said shopping
l card inserted in said slit, when said door is in its open
. position; comparing means to eleotrically verificate whether
;~ a correct quantity Or said commodity is taken out or not
in accordance with said numerical values; and means for
.; releasing said shopping card inserted in said slit when said
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comparing means perceive that the correct quantity of said
commodity is taken out, and for precluding the removal of
said shopping card inserted in said slit when said comparing
means perceive that the correct quantity of said commodity is
not taken out.
Desc_iption_of_the_Prefer_ed_Emb_diments
Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown the first
embodiment of an automatic vending machine according to the
present invention. In Fig. 5, there is shown a perspective
view showing an automatic vending machine, with a door
being opened. Fig. 6 shows a transverse cross-sectional
view, i.e., a view as seen sidewise, of the automatic
vending machine of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a view showing an
arrangement of a plurality of automatic vending machines
according to the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 6, an automatic vending machine
consists of a body proper 15, shelves 13 provided within the
body proper 15 in the form of a plurality of stages, weighing
scales 12 positioned contiguous to the shelves 13, respec-
tively, and display baskets or retaining boxes 10 whichare portable and retain one or more commodities 11 therein
according to the kinds of commodities, such as canned foods,
fruit, dental oreams, and other daily necessaries. The
quantity of display baskets 10 may be plural, if the items of
commodities to be placed on a weighing scale are the same.
In addition, commodities to be retained may be placed simply
on a retaining unit of a flat plate, which is suspended from
a beam and exerts a force on a weighing scale, or other means
suoh as retaining boxes including display bskets 10, which
transmit the weight of commodities to the weighing scale
12. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, secured to the outer
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side-surface of the body proper 15 of the machine is a box,
in which there is provided a shopping-card-inserting slit 2,
through which a lock-releasing and storing medium such as a
magnetic card and the like is to be inserted; such medium
integrally consists of a lock-releasing medium for permit-
ting the removal of commodities from the automatic vending
machine, and storing means for storing at Ieast one commodity-
information of nomenclature, weight, quantity, price and
other information of commodities. A shopping-completion-
indicating device 14 notifies the completion of shopping.
The front wall of a body proper 15 of the machine is trans-
parent, so that a purchaser may watch commodities ll
therethrough.
The body proper 15 is equipped with a door 9 which
may be released from a locked condition, upon insertion of a
shopping card into the slit 2. When the door 9 is closed,
then a circuit will be operated, which instructs to input
; into a shopping card information such as items, quantity
` and the like of commodities whioh have been taken out. The
arrangement of a circuit is qhown in Fig. 38, and the oper-
ation thereof will be decribed hereinafter. The door 9
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remains closed tightly, when a shopping card is not inserted
into the shopping-card-inserting slit 2. Once a shopping
card i8 inserted into the shopping-card-inserting slit 2,
then the door 9 will be released so as to be free to open
~ or close, while there is provided a locking mechanism which
;` precludes taking out the shopping card from the shopping-
card-inserting slit 2, when the door 9 remains opened.
One example of the construction of the locking
mechanism for shopping cards is shown in Fig. 39, in which
a lock-releasing and storing medium T such as a shopping
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card may be inserted into a slit 2. Mounted on the surface
of the body proper 15 and in back of the box B having the
slit 2 of the locking mechanism is an electromagnet M. The
electromagnet M is excited according to a locking signal
which, upon issuing of an alarm signal from an alarm device
A, is transmitted by way of a locking-signal-generator 56 to
the electromagnet M, so that a locking piece L is attracted
so as to lock a shopping card. On the other hand, if a door
is closed, a shopping card, into which sales-informations
10 have been input, will be free to take out. .
Now, decription will be given of a weighing scale
12, which forms an essential part of the present invention.
Fig. 12 shows an arrangement of the weighing scale 12. A
weighing scale 12' is provided as one example of weighing
scale 12. The scale 12' consists of a stem 12'-1 which is
slidable through a hole defined in a shelf 13, a flat plate
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12'-2 secured to a tip portion of the stem 12'-1 for mounting
a display basket 10 thereon, a spring 12'-3 confined between
the shelf 13 and the flat plate 12'-2, a pointer 12'-4 secured
to an end portion of the stem 12'-1. When a commodity is taken
out, then the stem 12'-1 is slidingly moved in an arrow
direction 12'-5 under the action of the spring 12'-3, so that
the pointer 12'-4 is rotated so as to sharply respond to the
variation in weight of commodities.
Positioned at one termination of a graduation of the
scale 12' is a means 19, such as a potentiometer, for convert-
ing a graduation indicated into an electrical signal, while a
signal line 20 connected to the means 19 leads to an electronic
computor 21.
According to the automatic vending machine of the
present invention, a purchaser makes payment for commodities
selected in the following process: Assume a total weight wl
of the weight of commodities prior to removal or purchase
plu9 the weight of a display basket 10, the total weight w2
of the commodities and display b~sket 10 after the removal,
an average weight a of a single commodity, and a quan-tity x
of commodities taken out or purchased. wl and a are stored
in the electronic computor 21. In case a purchaser takes out
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C commodities of a quantity x from the display bascl~ot 10, and
closes the door 9, then a balance between wl and w2 (wl-w2),
i.e., between the weigh-t wl before removal of commodities and
the weight w2 af-ter the removal is measured by the weighing
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scale 12, whereupon an information is fed into the electronic
computor 21 for computing (wl-w2)/a, based on the value a -
which has been stored in the computor 21, so that a quantity
of commodities removed or purchased may be determined. In
general, the respective weights of commodities are not the
same, even if the items of commodities are the same. It is
possible that a figure thus obtained according to the
aforesaid computation includes a decimal fraction, or if
a quantity of commodities taken out exceeds a given value, then
there results a difference exceeding "1" between a calculated
value and an actual quantity of commodities taken out.
Assume now an average weight A of a single commodity, a
balance between the average weight A and the maximum weight
or the minimum weight of a commodity, i.e., an error weight
B, a balance W between readings before and after the removal
of a commodity, a number of quantity x of commodities taken
out, a figure xl of a value of W/A whose decimal fr~ction
has been raised to a unit, and a figure x2 Or a value W/A
C ~hen ~h~
whose decimal fraction is omitted. ~ xl or x2 is determined
20 according to a flow chart shown in Fig. 13, then the value ,
x may be determined. In other words, it is determined
whether W satisfies the following two formulae,
(A-B) xl ~- W <- (A+B) xl ... (1)
(A-B) x2 ~ W ~ (A+B) x2 ... (2)
1. If the formular (1) is not satisfied, while the formula (2)
is satisfied by W then x=x2
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2. If the formula (1) is satisfied, while -the formula (2) is
not satisfied, then x=xl
3. If ~h~both formulae are satisfied, this means that a
quantity of commodities taken out exceeds the aforesaid limit
of quantity.
4. If ~ both formulae (1) and (2) are not satisfied, this
means that other commodity or material having a weight different
from that of a commodity is included, or some other abnormal
condition prevails.
Accordingly, in the cases of the above paragraphs
3 and 4, an alarm signal will be issued, and a locking
mechanism will be actuated so as to preclude the removal of
; a shopping card from the shopping-card-inserting slit. Thus,
the quan-tity of commodities taken out may be determined
without an error, by means of a weighing scale 12 and means
19 for converting a measured graduation in the scale, into
an electrical signal. Fig. 38 (a), (b) shows an embodiment
of a circuit which carries out the aforesaid computations.
Encompassed with a broken line and shown at 12 is
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an alarm-devicc portion, at C an arithmetic-circuit portion,
and at 9 a door of an automatic vending mac,hine. A total
weight signal wll before purchase or removal of commodities
is fed through a terminal tl of a weighing scale 12 and a
total weight signal w21 after the purchase is fed through a
terminal t2 of the scale 12, respectively, then through
means or convertor 19-1 for converting a measured graduation
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in the scale into an electrical signal and means or convertor
19-2 for converting the graduation in the scale into an
electric signal, and then into a deduction circuit 47-l to give
wll-w21. A value of wll-w21, coupled with an average weight
Al of a single commodity which has been fed through a terminal
t4, if fed into a dividing circuit 48 to obtain wlAlw21 .
In this case, the dividing circuit 48 computes two values
i.e., xl which is wlAlW?-l whose decimal fraction has been
raised to a unit, and x2 which is wlAlW2l whose decimal
fraction has been omitted.
On the other hand, the deduction circuit 47-2 is so
designed as to give Al-Bl by using a balance between an
average weight and the maximum weight or the minimum weight
of a commodity, i.e., an error weight Bl which is to be fed ~i
"~
through a terminal ~ of the scale 12, while an adding circuit
49 is so designed as to give Al+Bl. These values are computed
through multiplying circuits 50-l, 50-2, 50-3, 50-LI to give
(Al-Bl) xl, (Al+Bl) Xl, (Al-B]) X2 and (Al + Bl) x2.
r~hese values are compared with the output values -
of wll ~4 w21 of the deduction circuit 47-1 in comparing
circuits 51-1, 51-2, 51-3, 51-4. The comparing circuit 51-l
issues a signal fwl when (Al-Bl) xl ~- w, wherein w=wll-w21.
The comparing circuit 51-2 issues a signal fw2 when (Al+Bl) xl 2 w.
The comparing circuit 51-3 issues a signal fw3, when (Al-Bl)x2 ~ w.
The comparing circuit 51-4 issues a signal fw4 when (Al~Bl) X2 ~- w.
When (Al-~l) xl <- w ~ (Al+Bl)xl ... (l) is satisfied, - -
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an output signal fl is obtained from an AND circuit 52-1. When
(Al-Bl)x2 c w ~- (Al+Bl)X2 ... (2) is satisfied, an output signal
f2 is obtained from an AND circuit 52-2. When the formular (1)
is not satisfied, and the formula (2) is satisfied, X=X2.
~hen the formula (1) is satisfied, and the formula (2) is not
satisfied, then X=Xl. When ~*e both formulae are satisfied,
this means that commodities of a ~uantity exceeding a limit
of quantity have been taken out. On the other hand, when the
ana~her
both formulae (1), (2) are not satisfied, this means that~cthc~
commodity having a different weight or a foreign matter is
included.
According to a circuit of Fig. 38, output signals
Fll, F21, F31, and F41 are obtained through NOT circuits 53-1,
53-2, 53-4, 53-5, and AND circuits 52-3, 52-4, 52-5, 52-6,
respectively1~when an output signal F31 or F41 is issued, an
alarm signal Fr is issued through OR circuits 54-1, 54-2, and
AND circuits 52-8. When the alarm signal Fr iS issued, then
an alarm device 33 is actuated to give an alarm, whereupon a
Locking-signal-generating device 56 is actuated to prevent
the withdrawal of a lock-releasing and s-toring medium T, i.e.,
a card from a card-inserting slit 2. The above men-tloned
process is shown in Fig. 13, as well.
On the other hand, signals Fll, F21, F31, F41
obtained accordin~ to the aforesaid computation, and unit-
price signals P~of the aforesaid commodities are both input
into a storing-arithmetic circuit 57, where the quantity of
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commodities obtained by computation is multiplied by unit
prices, so that a price signal is issued. When shopping has
been completed and the door has been closed by a purchaser,
then a drive signal fD is fed by way of an AND circuit 52-7
to a printer 59, so that an information from a reading
circuit 58 is printed on a lock-releasing and storing medium
or card T. Upon completion of printing, a completion signal
fe is issued to actuate a release-signal-generating device
55, thereby permitting withdrawal of a lock-releasing storing -
medium or card T from its inserting slit. The presence of a
card will actuate the release signal generator 60 to permit
opening of the door 9, and correspondingly when the card is
removed, the door 9 can not be opened.
Description will now be given of a shopping
procedure for a purchaser in a manless super-market, in which ~
automatic vending machines according to the present invention ~ '
are set, i.e., the procedure covering from the time when a
purchaser selects a commodity until the purchaser makes pay-
ment. As shown in Fig. 7, a purchaser receives a shopping
oard shown in Fig. 11, at a shopping-card-receiving station
16 at the entrance of a market. Placed within the market are
automatic vending machines as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, which
are shown as a group of automatic vending machines 18 in a
plan view in Fig. 7. When a purchaser inserts a shopping
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call into a shopping-card-inserting slit 2 in an automatic
vending machine, the door 9 will be free to open or close.
Then, the purchaser opens the door 9 to take out commodities
of a desired quantity from several display baskets lO, and
then closes the door 9. In this manner, the purchaser has an
opportunity to check
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commodities in her hands, and if the purchaser does not like
the commodities, then the purchaser may return them to their
home positions and select the other commodities. In Fig. 4,
- there is provided a shopping-completion-indicating device
14, in which, if a button is depressed, then the door 9 is
closed. However, the door 9 may be so designed as to be
manually closed, without using a button. In either case, when
the door 9 is closed, then a shopping card is released from
its locked condition, so that a purchaser may take the
shopping card out of the inserting slit. When the purchaser
has completed shopping, then the purchaser inserts a shopping
card at a counter 17 shown in ~ig. 7. Then, an application
comes out, based on sales-informations which have been recorded
on the shopping card. The purchaser makes payment according
to the application.
In this case, there are alternatives for a payment
or accounting, i.e., an off-line system and in-line system.
According to the off-line system, sales-informations such as
identification number, quantity, unit price and total price of
commodities purchased are magnetically stored on a shopping-
card itself, and a purchaser is to bring the shopping card with
,
her. When commodities ll have been purchased, informations
are magnetically stored on a shopping card. Then, the pur-
chaser inserts a shopping card into a counter 17 positioned
at the exit of a market, so that an application, on which
sales-information has been recorded, comes out. 'rhen, the
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purchaser makes payment based on the application. On the
other hand, according to the in-line system, a number or
symbol of a lock-releasing medium, i.e., a shopping card, key
or plug is stored beforehand, and a purchaser brings the
shopping card, key, or plug with her and inserts it into an -~
inserting slit or hole for shopping. In this respect, descrip-
tion has been given thus far of a shopping card as a lock~
leasing and storing medium. However, in the in-line system,
a shopping card is not required to store informations and thus
serves simply as a lock-releasing medium. After the completion
of shopping, the purchaser inserts the shopping card, key, or
plug into a counter 17 positioned at the exit of a market ,
whereupon there comes out an application, on which sales-
informations are recorded in connection with the aforesaid
lock-releasing medium. ~hen, the purchaser makes payment
based on the application. ~he automatic vending machine
according to the present invention may be appliéd to either
of the off-line and in-line systems.
In Fig. 8, there is shown Q block diagram illustrative
of the arrangement of the in-line system which is used in an
automatic vending machine according to -the present i~vention,
and in Fig. 9, there is shown an arrangement of the off-line
system according to the present invention. In passing, the
aforesaid arrangements of circuits are known or can readily
be inferred by those skilled in the art. A purchaser inserts
a shopping card, in which a register number is entered, into
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a shopping-card-inserting slit 2 provided in the body proper
15 of an automatic vending machine. With the in-line system,
as shown in Fig. 8, a register-number-designating signal fl
corresponding to a register nwnber of a purchaser is issued
so as to be fed into an electronic computor 21. After the
purchaser has inserted a shopping card into the shopping-card-
inserting slit 2, the purchaser opens a door in the body proper
of the automatic vending machine and then takes out desired
commodities therethrough. After the purchaser has t~ken out
commodities, and then closes the door, then the weighing scale
12' is operated, whereupon weights before and after the removal
of commodities or a balance in weight is converted into an
I electrical signal which is then fed as a signal f2 into the
electronic computor 21, thereby providing sales-information
of commodities. When the purchaser has completed shopping
and inserted a shopping card into a shopping-card-inserting
; slit in a counter 17, then a signal f3 is fed from the electronic
computor 21 to a counter, based on the aforesald signals fl
and f2, so an application comes out. rL`he purchaser makes
payment according to the application.
On the other hand, with the off-line system, as
;hown in Fig. 9, a purchaser inserts ashopping card into the
aforesaid shopping -card-inserting sli-t, and then opens a door
; on a body proper 15 of an automatic vending machine to take
out desired commodities therethrough. Wllen the purchaser has
a JC ' r' g
, ~ completed te tul{c out commodities and closed the door, then a
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weighing scale 121 is operated, so that the weights before
and after the removal of commodities or a balance in weight
is converted into an electrical signal according to means 19
adapted to convert a measured graduation in the scale 12' into
an electrical signal, and then the signal i.e., a sales- -
information is given to the shopping card as a signal f2 as
shown in (a). When the purchaser has completed shopping and
inserted a shopping card into a card-inserting slit in a
counter, a signal fl corresponding to a register number of the
shopping card and the aforesaid signal f2 are both fed to the
electronic computor 21 as shown in (b), and then a signal f3
is fed from the electronic computor 21 to a counter 17, so
that an application is prepared. ~he purchaser makes payment
according to the application.
Fig. lO shows a system flow-chart, following which
a purchaser purchases commodities by using a shopping card in
either oEf-line or in-line system of the automatic vending
machines according to the present invention.
While description has been given of a plurality of
display baskets used in the automatic vending machine, a
single display basket may be used as shown in Fig. 14.
Although the doors 9 are shown as having a pair of doors, a
single door may be used. In addition, a door 9 may be provided
for each of display baskets lO, as shown in Fig. 15. Still
furthermore, the door 9 is provided in integral fashion with
the body proper 15 of the machine, although the door should
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not necessarily be integral with the body proper. In other
words, the doors may be provided independently of the body
proper 15, with a partitlon wall positioned between the
adjoining two automatic vending machines, as shown in Fig.
16. Yet furthermore, although the weighing scale 12 (12')
is provided in the form of a spring type scale, other type
scales may be used~ such as for instance, a scale which uses
an piezo-electric element such as a strain gage, or a semi-
conductor that issues a signal by sensing the variation in
pressure or weight. ~urthermore, the door 9 may be opaque.
Yet furthermore, the aforesaid lock-~eleasing medium is
provided in the form of a shopping card, key or plug.
However~ a coin may be used. In this case, commodities may
be purchased according to the following procedure. When a
purchaser inserts a coin into a coin-inserting slit 2, then
~ signal is fed into an electronic computor 21 for identifi-
^ation of the coin~ whereupon a door 9 is released from its
locked condition and thus becomes free to open or close.
When the purchaser opens the door 9, takes out a commodity
and closes the door 9~ then the door 9 will be locked again.
In this respect~ the weight of a commodity 11 taken out is
converted into an electric signal by means of a device adapted
to convert a measured graduation in the weighing scale 12
into an electric signal, whereupon the electronic computor
21 computes the amount of commodities sold~ In -this case,
there may be provided means for returning a change. On the -
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other hand, an alarm device 22 may be provlded so as to give -
an alarm when a quantity of commodity exceeds a quantity of
commodities which may be purchased by using coins. In case
a coin is used as a lock-releasing medium, the coin is once
retained within the coin-inserting slit, after which a
commodity is taken out and the door 9 is closed, and then
the coin starts dropping through the inserting slit 2 into
a coin retaining box. Manipulation to drop a coin through
the inserting slit 2 is similar to that to release the
lock-releasing medium from the inserting slit 2 so as to
take same out.
The aforesaid description refers to a lock-releasing
medium which integrally consists of a lock-releasing medium
and a storing medium for use with an off-line system. How-
ever, the lock-releasing medium may be independent of the
storing medium, and, in this case, means for admitting the
lock-releasing medium and means for admitting the storing
medium may be provided separately of each other. Still
furthermore, there may be provided means for locking the lock-
releasing medium and storing medium, while the door 9 ismaintained open. Furthermore, a storing medium alone may be
used in place of the aforesaid lock-releasing medium, and the
lock-releasing medium and storing medium.
In this case, means for admitting the storing
medium alone is provided in a manner that, for instance,
when the storing medium has been admitted and then a door
thus released is opened, then the storing medium may be
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locked so as not to be removed, during the time in which the
door is maintained opened; and a commodity information is
fed or input in-to the storing medium, while the storing
medium may be taken out when the door 9 is closed. In
addition, the door 9 is provided in the aforesaid description.
However, there rnay be provided a weighing scale, means for
converting a numerical value corresponding to a quantity of
commodities taken out, into an e]ectrical signal, and means
for admitting a lock-releasing and storing medium, without
using the aforesaid door 9. In this case, when the lock-
releasing and storing medium is admitted and commodities
are taken out, then means for converting into an electrical
signal is actuated, so that commodity-informations may be
f`ed in the lock-releaslng and storing medium. In addition,
there may be provided locking means which precludes the ~ -
removal of the lock-releasing and storing medium, unless
a commodity-information is fed into the lock-releasing and
storing medium. St;ill furthermore~ there may be provided
meanS for indicating the completion of shopping, which
precludes the removal of the lock-releasing and storing
nedium~ unless an indication for completion of shopping is
iven. Alternatively,as has been described earlier, there
may be provided a lock-releasing medium or a storing medium
alone or the both thereof in place of the aforesaid lock- -
releasing and storing means. In the aforesaid description~
there are provided means for admitting the door 9~ and a
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lock-releasing and storing medium, in addition to communicat-
ing means for issuing an alarm signal and a notifying signal.
However~ an automatic vending machine may be composed of a
weighing scale, means for converting a numerical value corres-
ponding to a quantity of commodities taken out, into an
electrical signal, and means for communicating, without
providing -the door 9 and means for admitting a lock-releas-
ing and storing medium and the like. For instance, in case
comrnodities of a quantity exceeding a predetermined maximum
quantity are to be taken out or a foreign matter is to be
placed in a retaining vessel, then a variation in weight
may be sensed to thereb~ notify such a condition.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing -the second
embodiment of the automatic vending machine according to
the present invention. Fig. 18 is a transverse cross-
sectional view thereof. ~he vending machine includes a
body proper 15, in which there are provided shelves 13 of
a stage form, weighing scales ~Y~ positioned contiguous to
the shelves 13, respectively, and display baskets 10
containing foods and daily necessaries such as cans, fruit,
dental creams and the like, i.e., commodities 11. In this
respect, the basket lO may contain one or more commodities.
As shown in ~ig. 17, an external side-surface of
the body proper 15 is equipped with a shopping-card-inserting
slit 2 and means 14 for indicating completion of shopping.
Placed on top of the body proper 15 is an alarm device 22
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including a beam source for issuing beams, a beam-receiving
portion, an alarm buzzer and the like. No door is provided
in the front of the body proper 15, while beams from the
alarm device 22 form a so-called beam screen which covers
the front of the door in every direction. ~he beam screen
serves to issue an alarm when a purchaser makes access to
commodities unlawfully or inadvertently, without inserting
a shopping card in the shopping-card-inserting slit 2. ~-
Description will now be turned to the alarm device
22 mounted on top of the body proper 15. Fig. 19 is an
outline of an example, showing a condition of beams advanc-
ing. Fig. 20 shows an alarm device circuit, in case a shopping
card is not inserted into a shopping-cardLinserting slit 2.
As shown in Fig. 19, the alarm device 22 is equipped with a
; beam source 23 and a beam-receiving portion 26 as well as
an alarm circuit as shown in Fig. 20. Shown at 24 is a
light beam issued from the beam source 23, at 25 reflecting
mirrors which reflect beams 25 in a manner to direct the beams
24 to the beam-receiving portion 26. With the aforesaid
arrangement~ a beam 24 issued from the beam source 23 is
directed downwards, as shown, so as to reach the reflecting
mirror 25 positioned below, where the beam is reflected to
reach the reflecti~ng mirror 25 adjoining thereto on its
right side, then directed upwards to reach the reflec-ting
~ he,
mirror positioned above. In this manner~beam is directed
up and down between mirrors to form a beam screen in the
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entire front of the body proper 15. In this respect, for
better understanding, reflecting mirrors are provided in
the vertical direction i.e., in an upper row and a lower
row. However, mirrors may be provided in the horizontal
direction. ~he beam thus forming a beam screen eventually
reaches the beam-receiving portion 26. ~he beam-receiving
portlon 26 lS provided in the form of a photo-sensitive
element, such as a cadimium-sulfide cell and the like.
Shown at 27 in Fig. 20 is an alarm buzzer, and at 28, 29,
30 are switches, respectively. ~he insertion of a shopping
card by a purchaser brings the switch 28 to its on-position~
while the switch 29 maintaining its on-position is turned to
its off-position, so the alarm buzzer 27 is maintained
inoperative. (ilowever, access by hands of a purchaser
shields the beam 24 which is directed to the beam-receiving
portion 26, while the switch 30 maintaining its off-position
lS turned to its on-position.) When a purchaser ins~rts a
shopping card into a shopping-card-inserting slit 2 in this
manner, the purchaser may take commodities, wi-thout ~K}
trouble. Meanwhile, in case a purchaser makes access by
hands to commodities~ without inserting a shopping card into
the slit 2, i.e., in the case of an unlawful act or inadvertent
act of the purchaser, beam 24 is interrup-ted and does not
reach the beam receiving portion 26, whereupon the switch 30
maintaining its o~f-position is turned to an on~position,
and the switch 29 is maintained in its on-position, so that
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an alarm is given by the alarm buzzer 27. When the purchaser
takes out commodities, without inserting a shopping card into
the shopping-card-inserting slit 2, the alarm buzzer will be
immediately actuated, thereby preventing an unlawful ~ets
beforehand. Description has been given thus ~ar of an
example~ in which the beam source 23, and beam-receiving
portion 26 are mowlted on top of the body proper 15 of an
automatic vending machine and the beam 24 is c~rected in
the vertical direction so as to forrn a beam screen. However~
the direction of bearn 24 may be horizontal, slantwise or the
like, as far as there is formed a beam screen in the entire
front of the body proper 15, and the beam thus directed may
eventually reach the b~am-rcceiving portion 26, with the
beam source 23, beam receiving portion 26 and reflecting
mirrors 25 being so positioned as -to meet the aforesaid
requirement. In addition, the beam source 23, beam-receiving
portion 26 and an alarm circuit should not necessarily be
positioned ln a common position~ but may be separated Irorn
each other independently. Still furthermore~ the alarm buzzer
27 is built in the alarm device 22 in this instance. However,
the buzzer 27 may be separated from the alarm device 22. ~he
beams emitted ~rom the beam source 23 should not necessarily
be visible beams but may be invisible infrared rays or
ultraviolet rays. ~he aforesaid arrangement is such that
the alarm buzzer 27 provided on the alarm device gives an
alarm~ in case the paths of beam 24 are interrupted or
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shielded, without following a predetermined procedure.
However, a screen or sllutter may be provided in the front
of the aUtOrnatiC vending machine, in addition to the afore- -
said alarm device 22, so that the moment an alarm is given
by the alarm buzzer 27, the screen or shutter may be closed.
Alternatively, the alarm buzzer 27 may be omitted but the
aforesaid screen or shutter alone may be closed in the afore-
said mlawful events.
Fig. 21 is a psrspective view showing the third
embodiment of the automatic vending machine according to
the present invention. Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a
cont~iner to be placed in the automatic vending machine of
Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a container which
is placed in the automatic vending machine of Flg. 21. Shown
~t 11 are commodities, at 15 a body proper of the automatic
vending machine~ at 12 a weighing scale which weighs
commodities housed in a container 3]. The weighing scale
12 includes a weighing mechanism 12~ as shown in Fig. 12.
Shown at 2 is a shopping-card-inserting slit and at 32 a
number-indicating device which indicates the number of
desired commodities. Shown at 33 is means for notifying an
unlawful act or error~ for instance, an alarm device which
gives an alarm in case a foreign matter different from
commodities 11 retained in the container 31 is placed within
the container 31~ or commodities of a number which is
l different from that of commodities indicated at the number-
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indicating means 32 are taken out, or in case commodities 11
are taken out without inserting a shopping card into the
slit. ~ig~ 24 is a view explanatory of the number indicating
device 32. In general, a number indicating device of a
button type is popular, as shown. ~his is referred to as
"a ten key" systern~ in which a number is indicated according
to a combination of lO figures covcring from O to 9. When
a purchaser depresses a button desired times which correspond
to the number of commodities 11 desired~ the depressing
motions are eonverted into electrical signals.
With the automatic vending machine according to
the present invention~ of the aforesaid arrangement, payment
is made according to the following procedure. Assume now
a nwnber a of comrnodities, which have been indicated by t~le
C number indicating device 32~ an average weight of b grams
per commodity ~, the maximum error weight (+ c grams) per
. Il
commodity 2~ a weight reduced (d grams) due to removal of
commodities ~ a number (x) of commodities sold which has
been ealculated, based on a reduced weight of commodities
J 1
~, a number (~) of commodities which have been indicated on
the number-indicating device 32 but not taken out~ and a
number (z) of eommodities whieh have been taken out without
inserting a shopping eard into a shopping-card-inser-ting ; ~
slit 2 or a number of eommodities which exceeds the number ~ -
of commodities indieated. ~hen~ when eommodities 11 are
purehased~ a number (a) of commodities sold is fed for each
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purchaser. Meanwhile, in case a number of purchaser are
present in a market and thus purchasing is continuously
carried out one after another, then scales should be
continuously operated. In such a case, a will be input
in cumulative fashion~ until the scale 12l is brought into
a stationary condition. The cumulative value ~ a is compared
with x which has been determined based on a difference between
the weight of commodities 11 before removal of commodities
11 in a stationary condition of the scale-12', and the weight
of commodities measured in the subsequent stationary condition
of the scale 12' after removal of commodities~ and thus
whether a proper purchase of commodities has been made is
determined.
Regarding a positive number which satisfied
d/(b-c) > x ~ d/(b+c) and is obtained from the scale 121,
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and a cumulative vaiue
a which are obtained from the number-indicating device 32;
(a) If x = ~ a , this indicates the fact that a proper
purchase has been made~ and no alarm will be given.
(b) If x~ a - x = y~ a notifying signal is issued,
reporting the fact that commodities have not been taken out,
and if required, an alarm signal is issued to give an alarm.
(c) If x ?~ a, then x - ~ a = z, ~hen~ a notifying signal
is issued to notify the fact that a shopping card has not
been inserted~ or commodities of a number exceeding an
indicated number have been taken out. If re~uired~ an alarm
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signal may be issued.
In addition, if a positive number x is not present,
which satisfies d/(b-c) > x ~ d/(b+c), this means that a
foreign matter is included. A communicating signal notifying
this fact or if required, an alarm signal will be issued,
warning inclusion of a foreign matter.
A notifying signal or an alarm signal is issued
in case commodities of a number exceeding an indicated number
have been taken out. However~ when commodities of a number
exceeding a predetermined maximum number have been taken ou-t,
or an indicated number exceeds the maximum number of commo-
dities to be taken out~ a notifying signal or an alarm signal
may be issued.
Meanwhile~ in case the value x may take at least
two positive numbers, due to the maximum error weight per
commodity, then x is so predetermined as to take either one
of a small positive number~ large positive number and a
number intermediate between the two. ~hus~ an expected
error number (For instance, if there are two positive .;
20 numbers and then a larger number is adopted, there is a .
possibility that x is more than a by one.) is reported and,
if required~ an alarm signal is issued.
Meanwhile~ the aforesaid description.refers to
an alarm device 33 serving as means for notifying an unlawful
purchase or mistakes in purchasing commodities. However~ -
the alarm device should not necessarily be limited to those
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using an alarm buzzer or a red flashing lamp and the like,
but there may be used a communicating device to notify em-
ployees of unlawful acts or errors in an identification
number of a purchaser~ errors in the number of commodities
and the like. In addition, an alarm device or means for
notifying such facts to employees is provided in the body
proper 15 of the vending machine. However, such an alarm
device and the like may be provided in a specific place
such as at a counter 17, rather than in the body proper 15.
In addition~ in the event of an unlawful act or other mistake~
an instruction signal may be issued to the electronic computor
21 so as to distinguish the identification number of a purchaser
in question from those of the other purchasers~ such as by
putting an asterisk only on the aforesaid identification
a, p~rson - ~:
number in question. In this case, on~ at the counter 17~-~
may concentrate his or her effort and attention in checking
for a purchaser relating to such a specific application,
thus saving man power at the counter 17.
Furthermore~ a ten-key type push bu-tton is provided
in the number-indicating device 32 which indicates a quantity
of commodities purchased. However, a single push button may
be provided in an automatic vending machine, so that each
depression of a push button represents purchasing of one
commodity. ~hus~ if commodities of a number n is to be
purchased~ then the button may be pushed n times. Otherwise~
one commodity may be taken out by depressing a push button
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once, and then another commodity may be taken out by further
depressing the push button, until commodities of a number
of n may be all taken out. Still furthermore, one commodity
may be taken out by inserting a lock-releasing or storing
medium, or a combination thereof into an inserting slit 2,
and if two or more commodities are required, then the afore-
said push button system may be used. Yet furthermore, the push
button may be replaced by a dial system, as far as a quantity
of commodities may be indicated.
Fig. 25 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the
fourth embodiment of the automatic vending machine according
to the present invention. With the automatic vending machine
of this type, when a shopping card is not inserted into a
shopping-card-inserting slit (not shown), a door 9 remains
closed tightly. However, the moment a shopping card is
inserted into the inserting slit, the door is released from
its locked condition and thus becomes free to open and close.
In this respect, if the door 9 is opened, the shopping card
is locked and thus may not be taken out from the shopping-
card-inserting slit. In addition, when the door 9 is closed,
, the shopping card whos~ sales-information has been fed into.. .
an electronic computer may be taken out from the slit freely.
Shown at 11 are commodities to be housed in an automatic
vending machine, such as for instance, cans, meat and the
, like, which are retained within display baskets 10 that
are repectively supported on shelves 13 in a stage fashion
within a body.
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proper 15 of the machine. Shown at 12 is a weighing scale
which is adapted to detect the weights of commodities before
and after the removal of commodities, and the weighing scale
12 includes a weighing mechanism 12'. Shown at 34 is a
commodity-storing mechanism which mâintains ~ommodities at a
given temperature, i.e., a refrigerator, at 35 a space provided ~ '
in the rear portion of the body proper 15, and at 36 an air
curtain covering the front of the space 35. ' '-
Description will be turned to a weighing scale 12
which forms the essential part of an automatic vending machine
according to the present invention. Fig. 26 is an outline of
an arrangement of the weighing scale 12. As shown, a ,scale
12l is provided contiguous to the shelf 13 and sharply responds
to the variation in weight of commodities in a display basket
lO placed on top of the scale 12t. On the other hand~ means
19 for converting a measured graduation in the scale 12
into an electrical signal is positioned at the tip of a
', pointer of the scale 12~ in the rear space ~5 o~ the body
- p~t~ rne~e r
~, proper 15 as in a manner of a poten~io met~. A signal line
20 connected to the aforesaid means 19 is then connected to an
olectronic computor 21. ~ool air ~rom the refrigera-tor is
i`ed through a discharge port 37 into the interior of the body
proper 15 of the machine. However, if the means 19 for
converting a graduation into an electrical signal is positioned
in a sub-zero range, then there tends to take place troubles
in the means 19~ so that the means 19 should be provided outside
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of the aforesaid sub-zero range, while the space 35 housing
means 19 therein should be thermally insulated with an air
curtain 36, so that the space 35 may be maintained at an
optimum temperature which precludes troubles arising in means
19. Figs. 27 and 28 show outlines of an arrangement of a
scale 12 of another type for use in the automatic vending
machine described. A spring positioned below the display
basket in Fig. 27 and above a display dish 38 in Figure 28 ,-
is positioned in the space 35 covered with air curtain 36,
rather than directly below the display basket 10 or a dish
38, respectively. With the aforesaid arrangement, the spring
may be protected from direct influence of the refrigerator,
and thereby a further improved accuracy may be achieved.
In addition, the door 9 as referred to in the
aforesaid description may be replaced by a shielding member
such as an air curtain which is provided in addition to means
for locking a shopping card.
, ,Fig. 29 is a perspective vi.ew of the fifth embodi- ,
'~ ment of the automatic vending machine according to the present ,'
invention. Fig. 30 is a transverse cross-sectional view
j thereof, and Fig. 31 is an explanatory view of a reading
device equipped in the automatic vending machine according
to the present invention.
A door 9 is provided in this automatic vending
machine, as well. The door 9 is maintained closed tightly,
I ' when a shopping card is not inserted into a shopping-card-
' inserting slit 2. Once a shopping card is inserted into the
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shopping-card-inserting slit 2, then the door 9 will be free
to open or close. In this respect, when the door 9 is opened,
a shopping card is so designed as to be locked within the
shopping-card-inserting slit 2, so that the shopping card
can no longer be taken out. Shown at 11 are commodities
having varying weights, unlike foods or daily necessaries
such as cans, fruit, dental creams, meat, and the like, whose
unit commodity weighs constant. Shown at lO is a display
basket retaining commodities 11 -therein, at 13 are shelves
provided within the body proper 15 in a stage fashion~ at
12 a weighing scale which detects the weights of commodities
before and after removal of commodities 11~ the weighing scale
; 12 including a weighing mechanism 12l therein. Shown at 39
is a reading device in which informations recorded on labels
attached to commodities 11 (Identification number, weight,
price and the like of commodities are entered thereon.) are
read by an optical msans, such as a light pen 40, so that
comrnodity informations may be converted into electrical
signals. According to this system, even if a purchaser takes
out a commodity 11 and closes the door 9, unless the label
41 is read~ a shopping card remains locked within the shopping-
card-inserting slit 2. If the llght pen 40 is brought into
contact with the label 11 attached to commodity taken out,
then the reading device 39 will be actuated in a manner that
the weight of a commodity of commodity informations is
compared with a value measured by the scale 12, and then if
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the two values are in accord, sales-information is input into
a shopping card, which in turn becomes free to take out.
On the other hand, if the two values are found to be
different according to the aforesaid comparison, a shopping
card can not be taken out, whereupon an alarm signal will
be issued. (A device for issuing an alarm signal is not
shown.)
Meanwhile~ description has been given of the
reading dèvice 39 in the form of a light pen 40. However~
~ an~hcr
10- othcr optical character-reading system, a magnetic record
reading system, or a perforation type record-reading system -
may be used, as far as records such as identification number,
weight, price and the like of a commodity may be read and
converted into an electrical signal. Still furthermore, the
light pen 40 may be brought into contact with the label 41
attached to a commodity, after the door 9 has been closed,
or the light pen 40 may be brought in touch with the label
L~l, with the door 9 kept open, after whicll inforrnations are
read by the reading device 39, followed by closure of the
door 9.
Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the sixth embodi-
ent of the automatic vending machine according to the present
invention~ and Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the machine,
from which commodities are shown omitted for 4etter under-
standing of the invention. Shown at 42 is a retaining plate
which retains commodities thereon~ at shelves 13, on which
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the retaining pla-tes are placed. A symbol such as 1-1 is
shown in the drawing, and this is alotted for a predetermined
kind of commodities 11, thus designating its location as at
a position symbol 43. Alternatively, an identification
number may be used in place of a position symbol, or serial
numbers may be used as identification numbers for commodities.
As shown in Fig. 32, three different kinds of commodities 11
are placed on a shelf 13 designated a shelf number 1, and
serial numbers of commodi-ties are shown as at 1-1, 1-2, 1-3.
In addition~ each unit commodi-ty of these three
kinds of commodities is substantially constant in weight,
and thus these may be counted by using a unit of 'piece~
rather than the weight~ for convenience of payment. On the
other hand~ three different kinds of commodities 11 are placed
on a second stage shelf 13, as well, with position symbols
being attached in the same manner as in the first stage shelf.
Howe~Jer~ commodities 11 placed on the shelf No. 2 are varying
in their weights, such as meat and the like. Accor~ngly,
commodities of this kind can not be counted by using a unit
of 'piece'. ~hus~ the commodities are weighed beforehand,
and then their weights and prices are entered in a label L~4-,
respectively, as shown. Shown at ~5 is a position-and-
quantity-of-commodity indicating device, by which a purchaser
designates a commodity 11 by using a position and identification
number of a commodity, and which indicates a quantity of
commodities purchased. So, the purchaser should only push
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a button at times corresponding to the position symbol 43
and a quantity of commodities wanted, so that electrical
signals will be fed into an electronic computor. More
particularly, when the first commodity 11 placed on a shelf
No. 1 is purchased~ then a push button marked with 1 in the
position-and-quantity-of-commodity indicating device 45
should be depressed two times~ commensurate to the position
symbol 1-1, and -then a push button having a number correspond-
ing to a quanti-ty of commodities wanted is depressed. In
addition, in case a third commodity 2 on a shelf 13 on the
second stage at a position symbol of 2-3 is to be purchased,
push buttons marked with 2 and 3 are depressed, and then a
push button carrying a number corresponding to the weight
indicated on a label 44 is depressed. Shown at 14 is a
shopping-completion-indicating device, which is adapted to
indicate the completion of shopping by means of push buttons~
while this information is fed as an electrical signal to an
electronic computor. ~he shopping-completion-indicating
device 14 is so designed that~ upon completion of shopping~
unless a push button provided in the shopping-completion-
indicating device 14 is depressed, a shopping card locked
within the shopping-card-inserting slit can not be taken out.
3hown at 33 is means for notifying an unlawful act or mistakes~
; for instance, an alarm device.
Although not shown, a weighing scale of the afore-
said type is provided in this ~utomatic vending machine.
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Fig. 34 shows an outline of a position-and-quantity-of-
commodi-ty-indicating device 45. As shown, push buttons
used in the position-and-quantity-of-commodity-indicating
device are of the so-called "ten-key" type, and marked with
ten figures of O to 9~ thereby indicating position, identi-
fication number~ quantity and weight of commodities to be
purchased.
With the automatic vending machine of the afore-
said arrangement, determination whether proper purchasing
has been carried out, as well as a notifying action wi]l
be made or taken in the following manner. Before going
further~ descrip-tion will be first given of a case where
commodities to be purchased are items each providing a
given weight~ and then of a case where commodities to be
purchased are iteMs providing varying weights.
Relerring to the firs-t case, assume that a purchaser
wants to buy com!nodities at position symbols 1-1 and 1-3;
a quantity of commodities indicated at the position-and-
A ~ quantity-of-commodity-indicating device 45 are i ~ bl~
20 respec-tively; average weights of commodities, per piece~ ~-
are bl and b3~ respectively; the maxlmum error weights of
commodities~ per piece, are ~ cl and ~ c3~ respectively; and
a weight reduced due to removal of commodities is d. ~hen~
the quantity of commodities indicated at the position-and-
quantity-of-commodity-indicating device 45 is compared with
a value measured by a weighing scale, to thereby determine
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whether a proper purchasing has been carried out
In the following formula:
(bl-cl)al+(b3-c3)a3 - d - (bl+cl)al+(b3+c3)a3,
(a) if _ satisfies the above formula, this means that a
proper purchasing has been carried out, so that a shopping
card may be freely taken out from a shopping-card-inserting
slit 2, while no alarm will be given.
(b) if d fails to satisfy the above formula, then this means
that
(1) a foreign matter is included,
(2) commodities not indicated have been taken out,
(3) commodities indicated have not been taken out,
(4) commodities different from commodities indicated have
been taken out, or
(5) commodities of a quantity different from the quantity :
indicated have been taken out.
In these above cases, a notifying signal or, if
required, an alarrn signal is issued for notifying these facts,
with a shopping card retained within the shopping-card-insert-
ing slit.
(c) In addition, in case a variation in weight is measuredby a weighing scale, in the absence of a shopping card in
the shoppiny-card-inserting slit 2, then a notifying signal
which notifies this fact, or, if required, an alarm signal
will be issued.
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1~803~7
(d) In case an indication represents a quantity which exceeds
a quantity of commodities 11 retained actually, a notifying
signal is issued, and if required an alarm signal is issued
for notifying a purchaser of shortage of commodities wanted.
(e) In case the maximum quantity of commodities to be taken
out by a purchaser at one time is predetermined, if an
indication is given as a value exceeding a quantity thus
predetermined, then a notifying signal is issued, instructing
that commodities should be purchased twice, with a shopping
card locked within a shopping-card-inserting slit 2.
Referring to the second case where commodities
provide varying weights, assume that: a purchaser wants
commodities shown at position symbols 2-1 and 2-2 one for
each; a quantity of commodities is shown at a position-and-
quantity-of-commodity-indicating device 45; weights indicated
based on the weights indicated on a label 44 are gl and g2;
the maximum error weights per piece of commodities are + cl
and + c2; and a weight reduced due to removal of commodities
11 is d. Then, a weight indicated by the position-and-
quantity-of-commodity-indicating device 45 is compared with
a value measured by a weighing scale, so that determination
may be made of whether a proper purchasing has been carried out
for commodities purchased. In the following formula:
(gl-cl)+(g2-c2) - d ~ (gl+cl)+(g2+c2), (Note:
If gl and g2 are net weights, a weight factor for packing
is added thereto. The maximum error weight may be predetermined
aa c~ for g.)
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~0803.~7
(a) if d satisfies the above formula, then this means that
proper purchasing has been carried out, while a shopping
card may be taken out from a shopping-card-inserting slit
2 freely~ without an alarm.
(b) if _ does n~t satisfy the above formulaa then this means
that:
(1) a foreign matter is included~
(2) commodities not indicated have ~een taken out,
(3) commodities indicated have not been taken out,
10 (L~) com~odities different from -those indicated havc been
taken out,
(5) commodities having a weight different from -that shown in
a label at-tached to commodi-ties 44 have been taken out, or
~6) a weight measured beforehand varies to an extent exceed-
ing the maximum error weight.
In these above cases~ a notifying signal which
notifies a purchaser of these facts or~ if required~ an
alarm is issued~ with a shopping card locked within a
shopping-card-inserting slit 2.
(c) In case a variation is measured at a weighing scale,
with a shoppin~ card not inserted in a shopping-card-insert-
ing slit 2~ a notifyin~ signal or if required an alarm signal
is issued.
In case commodities of a quantity exceeding a
predetermined maximum quantity of commodities to be taken
out have been taken out or an indicated quantity exceeds a
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maximum quantity of commodities to be taken out, a notifying
signal or an alarm signal may be issued.
In the aforesaid description, "ten-key" type push
buttons are provided for a position-and-quantity-of-commodity-
indicating device 45 which indicates commodities 11 to
be purchased. Alternatively, a dial system may be used
instead. Fig. 35 is a perspective view of an automatic
vending machine according to the present invention, which
includes a dial type position-and-quantity-of-commodity-
indicating device 45, and Fig. 36 is an enlarged view of aposition-and-quantity-of-commodity-indicating device of Fig.
35.
A position symbol indicating the position of
commodities 11, such as 1-1, 1-2, etc., has been used in the
previous embodiments. However, the alphabet or the like may
be used, in place of numbers, for example the position may be
indicated by A-l, B-3, etc., so that push buttons marked with
alphabet may be used instead of or in addition to the ten-
key push buttons or a dial in the position-and-quantity-of-
commodity-indicating device.
The aforesaid description has not referred to
the cancellation or corr~ection of indications. However,
there may be provided mean~ for cancelling or correcting
indications in the position-and-quantity-of-commodity-
indicating device 45. Still alternatively, there may be
provided a mechanism which may cancel and correct indica-
tions, separately of the position-and-quantity-of-commodity-
indicating device 45.
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Fig. 37 is a perspec-tive view of the seventh
embodiment of the automatic vending machine according to
the invention. This vending machine uses a door as provided
in the automatic vending machine in the sixth embodiment of
the invention. Shown at ~ is a door which is maintained
closed, when a shopping card is not in a shopping-card-
inserting slit 2, and which becomes free to open and close,
when a shopping card is inserted in a shopping-card-inserting
slit 2. When the door ~ remains open~ a shopping card can
not be taken out from the slit 2~ while the shopping card
may be taken out from the slit 2~ only when a quantity of
commodities which has been indicated in the position-and-
quantity-of-cOmmOdity-indicating device 45 is in coincidence
with a value measured by a weighing scale. Shown at 14 is
a shopping-completion-indicating device which indicates the ~ -
completion of shopping~ and an indication is given by means
of a push button. Meanwhile~ the shopping-completion-
indicating device 14 should not necessarily be oL a type~
in which a purchaser pushes a push button, but may be so
desi~ned as to be automatically actuated~ when the door 9
i is closed. In addition~ a push button in the shopping-
completion-indicating device 14 is located ex-ternally of
the body proper 1 of the machine. However~ it may be
positioned internal1y~ i.e., in the close vicinity of a push
button in -the position-and-quantity-of-commodity-indicating
device 45. Determination of whether proper purchasing has
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~0803S7
been carried out is given in the same manner as in the
preceding sixth embodiment of the invention, and thus
description is omitted.
fa~ rth
~; Meanwhile~ in the ~r~ embodiment, description has
~n referred to an automatic vending machine having a
commodity-retaining means for maintaining commodities at a
given temperature and means for main-taining a weighing scale -
at a given temperature different from the former given
temperature. However~ these means may be applied to all
other embodiments. In addition, in the fifth embodiment~
description has bee~ referred to an automatic vending machine
having: reading means for reading a record on a label~ on
which there are indicated at least one commodity information
of identification number~ weight, price and other commodity
.~ informations~ and for feedi.ng same as an electrical signal;
and means for comparing a numerical value obtained from means
for converting a numerical value corresponding to a quantity
of commodities taken out~ into an electrical signal~ with
; a numerical value obtained from the aforesaid reading means~
However~ these means are applicable to all other embodiments.
Furthermore~ in the first embodiment, description has be~n
reI'erred to an automatic vending machine having at least one
; communicating means of: means for issuing an alarm signal
; and means for issuing a notlfying signal, when there have
been taken out commodities of a quantity exceeding a .
predetermined maximum quantity of commodities for each item .
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1(~803~7
thereof; means for issuing an alarm signal and means for
issuing a notifying signal, when other commodities having
different weight or foreign matters are included; and means
for issuing an alarm signal and means for issuing a notify-
ing signal, in the event of an unlawful act or acts which
do not conform to a regulation set forth. However, the~e
communicating means are all applicable to other embodiments.
Description has been given thus far of cases
relating to the purchasing procedure for purchasers.
However~ the aforesaid lock-releasing medium~ or ~* lock-
releasing and storing medium may be used for supplying `
; commodities to an automatic vending machine or for moving
comrnodities due to a need to change the location of a sales
~ r~ fO r 1 4 2~ 0~1
room, so that moving informatie*s of these commodi-ties may
be notified simply. (r~his may be used for inventory, as well.)
As is apparent from the foregoing description~ the
automatic vending machine according to the present invention,
there may be achieved many advanta~es as shown in r~able 1
for a market side, so that prices of commodities to be
supplied -to customers may be reduced to a great extent, so
that one can win in a keen competition in this field. On
the other hand~ purchasers may obtain commodities at a low
price~ and may check and select a commodity in one~s hands~
before purchasing.
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10803S'7
~able 1
-
Item (a) (b) (c)
1 A quantity of commodities sold daily x o o
may be automatically checked per item .
2 Inventory of commodities may be x o o
automatically controlled
-
Laying in or supplementing s-tocks and
3 placing an order may be automatically x o o
carried out
4 Inventory is not required x o o
5 Man power required for accounting x o o
may be saved
.
6 Accounting is speeded up x o o
.
7 Accounting is accurate x o o
8 Cleaning of shelves, on which are placed
- commodities, may be carried out simply x o
g Supplementing of shelves for commodities
may be made with ease x o
. .
LO A machine is well adapted for use in -
sales of a great amount of commodities x o
11 A purchaser may select commodities by
taking Sanle in one~s hands o x o
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12 No time is wasted until commodities
are taken out by a purchaser ~ x o
~ . . . ~ _ . . . .
13 No .trouble takes place in taking out
commodities x o :,.
~ ~ ~- ~- ~ q u J o m ~
Amount of investment for o~uipmcn~s
is reduced o x ~ .
.
A market may be run for 24 hours with
ease x o o
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: Note: (a) A market using a system~ in which commodities .:
are displayed on shelves. ~. .
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lOB~357
(b) Manless super-market.
(c) A super-market using a group of automatic
vending machines according to the present
invention. :
o: yes
-: not applicable
x: no
~: midway between o and x
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