JP7630211B1 - Product front-loading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a product forward-pushing tool that has an extremely simple structure and can push irregularly shaped products forward without disturbing a row of the products.
[Solution] The product advancement device comprises a fixed part having a first through hole portion through which a first product can pass and through which the first product can be removed, a rail provided below the fixed part and fixedly supporting the fixed part at its front end portion, and on which the first product that has passed through the first through hole portion is placed, a flat movable member that is movable on the rail between a first position overlapping the fixed part and a second position rearward of the fixed part, the movable member having a second through hole portion through which a second product placed on the rail can pass and through which the second product can be removed when in the second position, and a biasing member that biases the movable member from the second position towards the first position.
[Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a product advancement device that advances products.

For example, an automatic product forward-pushing shelf device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This device is equipped with a product forward-pushing body having a product pressing plate, and a steel strip shaped like a spiral spring for pushing the product forward. With this device, the steel strip constantly applies tension to the product forward-pushing body, allowing products to be pushed forward.

International Publication No. WO2006/027871

However, when displaying products that are irregularly shaped other than rectangular prisms, such as inverted cones, cylinders, or triangular prisms, applying tension to such products from behind can cause the products to shift position laterally, disrupting the rows of products. This can make it difficult to maintain a beautiful display.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a product advance device that can advance irregularly shaped products without disturbing the rows of the products, with an extremely simple structure.

The above problems are solved by the present invention. That is, the product forward-pushing device of the present invention (1) is:
a fixing part having a first through-hole part through which a first product can be passed and through which the first product can be removed;
a rail provided below the fixed portion, the rail fixedly supporting the fixed portion at a front end thereof, and the rail on which the first product passing through the first through-hole portion is placed;
a movable member movable on the rail between a first position overlapping with the fixed portion and a second position rearward of the fixed portion, the movable member having a second through-hole portion through which a second product placed on the rail can pass and through which the second product can be removed when the movable member is at the second position;
a biasing member that biases the moving member from the second position toward the first position;
Equipped with
The first through hole portion has a shape complementary to the first product at the front end side, and has an open shape at the opposite side to the front end to allow the second product to pass therethrough.

In addition, the product advancement tool of the present invention (2) is the product advancement tool according to (1),
The fixing portion is provided integrally with the rail.

In addition, the product advancement device of the present invention (3) is the product advancement device according to (1) or (2),
an intermediate movable member that is movable on the rail between the first position and an intermediate position that is rearward of the first position and forward of the second position, the intermediate movable member having an intermediate through-hole portion through which an intermediate product placed on the rail can pass when the intermediate movable member is at the intermediate position or through which the intermediate product can be removed;
The intermediate through-hole portion has a shape complementary to the intermediate product at the front end portion and is open at the side opposite to the front end portion to allow the second product to pass therethrough.

In addition, the product advancement tool of the present invention (4) is the product advancement tool described in (3),
the intermediate moving member has a first engagement portion at an end portion opposite to the front end portion,
The movable member has a second engagement portion at an end portion on the front end side that engages with the first engagement portion, and when moving from the first position to the second position, the second engagement portion can be engaged with the first engagement portion, thereby towing the intermediate movable member to the intermediate position.

In addition, the product advance device of the present invention (5) is a product advance device according to any one of (1) to (4),
A resistance member is provided on the moving member and provides resistance when the moving member moves from the second position to the first position.

The above problems are solved by the present invention. That is, the product forward-pushing device of the present invention (6) is:
A fixed portion;
a flat rail provided below the fixed portion, the flat rail fixedly supporting the fixed portion near a front end thereof and on which the first product and the second product are placed;
a belt-like movable member having a first through hole portion through which the first product can pass and through which the first product can be removed, and a second through hole portion through which the second product can pass and through which the second product can be removed and which is provided rearward of the first through hole portion, the belt-like movable member being folded back at the front end portion and provided across the upper and lower surfaces of the rail, the belt-like movable member being movable on the upper and lower surfaces between a first position where the first through hole portion is on the upper surface and close to the front end portion, and a second position where the second through hole portion is on the upper surface and close to the front end portion;
a biasing member that biases the moving member so as to move from the first position toward the second position;
a stopper portion provided on the fixing portion and protruding rearward from the front end portion, the stopper portion being capable of contacting a first product in the first position and a second product in the second position;
Equipped with.

In addition, the product advancement device of the present invention (7) is the product advancement device according to (6),
A spacer portion is provided at the front end portion to space the moving member from the rail by a predetermined distance.

In addition, the product advancement device of the present invention (8) is the product advancement device according to (7),
The spacer portion is a roller that is rotatable at the front end portion.

In addition, the product advancement tool of the present invention (9) is a product advancement tool according to any one of (6) to (8),
the movable member has an intermediate through hole portion provided at a position between the first through hole portion and the second through hole portion, the intermediate through hole portion through which an intermediate product placed on the rail can pass and through which the intermediate product can be removed,
The stopper portion is capable of contacting the intermediate product at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

In addition, the product advance device of the present invention (10) is a product advance device according to any one of (6) to (9),
The moving member has an abutment portion provided rearward of the second through hole portion, the abutment portion abutting against the stopper portion to prevent the second through hole portion from moving toward the lower surface side.

In addition, the present invention (11) provides a commodity advance device according to any one of (6) to (10),
A resistance member is provided on the moving member and applies resistance when the moving member moves from the first position to the second position.

The present invention provides a product advancement device that has an extremely simple structure and can advance irregularly shaped products without disrupting the row of the products.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a shelf equipped with the product advance device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the product advance device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 2 . 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the movable member is moved to a second position in the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the product advance device shown in FIG. 4 from a different angle (rear). FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the product advance device shown in FIG. 4 from above. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F8-F8 in the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 6, showing a state in which the movable member and the intermediate movable member are in a first position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F8-F8 in the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 6. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first product, an intermediate product, and a second product are placed on rails in the product advance device shown in FIG. 4 . FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which other products are displayed above the first product, the middle product, and the second product in the product advance device shown in FIG. 9 . 11 is a side view showing the product advancement device shown in FIG. 10 in a state where the customer has finished picking up the first product and the intermediate product and other products above it have been advanced forward. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the state in which the customer has finished removing the intermediate product from the product advance device shown in FIG. 11 and the second product and other products above it have been advanced forward. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a commodity advance device of a second embodiment. 14 is a perspective view showing a moving member, a biasing member, and a resistance member inside the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 13. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 13 cut in the vertical direction. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first product, an intermediate product, and a second product are placed on the rails of the product advance device shown in FIG. 13 . 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a customer has picked up a first product and the intermediate product has been advanced forward in the product advance device shown in FIG. 16 . 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which a customer has taken out the intermediate product and a second product has been advanced forward in the product advance device shown in FIG. 17 . 19 is a perspective view showing a moving member, a biasing member, and a resistance member inside the commodity advance device shown in FIG. 18 .

An embodiment of the shelf of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The product forward-dispensing device of the present invention can forward-dispatch products of irregular shapes other than rectangular columns, such as inverted truncated cone cup noodles, without disrupting the row. In the following description, the front direction of the shelf is designated as F, the rear direction as R, the width direction as W, and the height direction as H.
[First embodiment]

The shelf 10 of the first embodiment and the product advance device 21 attached to the shelf 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shelf 10 comprises legs 11, a pair of posts 12 standing up from the legs 11, a back panel 13 extending between the posts 12, a number of fixing holes 14 formed in each of the pair of posts 12 at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction, a pair of brackets 15 inserted into some of the fixing holes 14 and fixed to the pair of posts 12, a shelf board 16 extending between the pair of brackets 15, and a POS rail 17 fixed to the front of the shelf board 16 for inserting price cards and the like.

For example, the product front-pushing device 21 is fixed to the shelf board 16 by clamping the rear protrusion of the POS rail 17 with the hook portion 22 provided on the underside of the front end portion 36. In other words, the product front-pushing device 21 is configured to be detachable from the shelf board 16 at any position in the width direction W.

As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the commodity advance device 21 includes a fixed portion 23, a rectangular rail 24 that is elongated in the front-rear direction FR and is provided below the fixed portion 23, a flat movable member 25 that can move on the rail 24 between a first position P1 that overlaps with the fixed portion 23 and a second position P2 that is behind the fixed portion 23, a biasing member 26 that biases the movable member 25 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1, a flat intermediate movable member 27 that is provided between the fixed portion 23 and the movable member 25, and a resistance member 28 that is provided on the movable member 25 and provides resistance to the movement of the movable member 25.

The rail 24 is molded, for example, from a synthetic resin material. The rail 24 has a flat rail body 34 on which a first product 31, a second product 32, and an intermediate product 33 (described later) are placed, a recess 34A recessed in the center of the rail body 34 and extending in the front-rear direction, a pair of side walls 35 rising upward from both ends of the rail body 34 in the width direction W, abutting pieces 37 rising from the front end 36 of the rail body 34 and abutting against a recess 25A at the corner of the moving member 25 and a recess 27A at the corner of the intermediate moving member 27, a first protrusion 41 provided to protrude inward from each of the pair of side walls 35, a second protrusion 42 provided to protrude inward above the first protrusion 41 on each of the pair of side walls 35, a stopper piece 43 provided midway on the first protrusion 41, and a rack 44 provided parallel to the recess 34A. The stopper piece 43 prevents the intermediate moving member 27 from moving further rearward. This prevents the moving member 25 from falling off rearward from the second ridge 42 through the engagement between the first engaging portion 62 and the second engaging portion 57, which will be described later.

The hook portion 22 is formed integrally with the front end portion 36 of the rail 24, for example, from a synthetic resin material.

The fixed part 23 (fixed tray) is molded integrally with the front end 36 of the rail 24, for example, by a synthetic resin material. Therefore, it can be said that the rail 24 supports the fixed part 23 at the front end 36 in a fixed manner. The fixed part 23 has a first through hole 45, through which the first product 31 can pass and the first product 31 can be removed. The first through hole 45 has a shape complementary to the first product 31 at the front end 36 side, that is, a semicircular shape. The first through hole 45 has a shape open to allow the second product 32 to pass through on the opposite side to the front end 36. Therefore, the first through hole 45 has a "U" shape that is convex toward the front side and open toward the rear side, and penetrates the fixed part 23 in a "U" shape. As will be described later, at this position, the second product 32 that is delivered forward can pass through. Therefore, the fixed part 23 has a horseshoe shape. The end 23A of the horseshoe-shaped fixed part 23 is connected to a pair of extension parts 46 that are raised at both ends in the width direction W of the rail main body 34. The pair of extension parts 46 extend from the end 23A of the fixed part 23 to the rear end of the rail main body 34. As shown in FIG. 5, the rack 44 is provided on the upper side of the extension part 46. The rack 44 is formed, for example, so that multiple teeth face upward. In this embodiment, the fixed part 23 is configured integrally with the rail 24, but the fixed part 23 may be provided separately from the rail 24. In other words, a gap may be provided between the fixed part 23 and the rail 24, and the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 may be stored in this gap.

2 and 3, the moving member 25 is formed in a flat plate shape using, for example, a synthetic resin material. The moving member 25 has a moving member body 51 and a pair of horizontal grooves 52 provided on the side surface of the moving member body 51 and into which the pair of second ridges 42 of the rail 24 are inserted. That is, the moving member 25 can move between the first position P1 and the second position P2 along the pair of second ridges 42 of the rail 24. The moving member 25 has a second through hole portion 53, a first support portion 54 that rotatably supports the reel 64 of the urging member 26, an introduction portion 55 that is provided continuously with the first support portion 54 and is inserted into the recess 34A of the rail 24, a second support portion 56 that supports the resistance member 28, and a second engagement portion 57 for engaging with the intermediate moving member 27. The second through hole portion 53 is configured as a through hole having a shape complementary to the second product 32 having an inverted truncated cone shape, that is, a circular through hole.

The first support portion 54 has a through hole 54A that penetrates the movable member main body 51, and a wall portion 54B that protrudes upward in a "U" shape from the upper surface of the movable member main body 51 and around the through hole 54A. The wall portion 54B has a pair of grooves 58 that can rotatably support the shaft 64A of the reel 64 of the biasing member 26. The first support portion 54 can rotatably hold the reel 64 of the biasing member 26 inside the through hole 54A.

The introduction section 55 has a second wall section 55A that protrudes downward in a "U" shape from the underside of the moving member body 51 and the periphery of the through hole 54A. At the front end side of the second wall section 55A, the spring body 65 of the biasing member 26 (described later) can be guided into the recess 34A.

The second support portion 56 is formed by recessing the lower surface of the moving member main body 51 upward, and the resistance member 28 can be attached in the recess by screwing or the like. The resistance member 28 is composed of a commercially available rotary damper. The resistance member 28 has a pinion portion 28A, which, when engaged with the rack 44 of the rail 24, can rotate on its own axis while applying a load around a shaft portion (not shown). Therefore, the resistance member 28 forms a rack-and-pinion mechanism between the rack 44 of the rail 24 and the resistance member 28, and can apply a predetermined resistance when the moving member 25 moves.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second engagement portion 57 protrudes downward from the front end of the moving member main body 51 in a hook-like shape.

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate moving member 27 has a pair of intermediate horizontal grooves 52 on its side into which the pair of first ridges 41 of the rail 24 are inserted. The intermediate moving member 27 is molded, for example, in a flat plate shape using a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the intermediate moving member 27 can move on the rail 24 along the pair of first ridges 41 between the first position P1 and an intermediate position P3 that is rearward of the first position P1 and forward of the second position P2. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate moving member 27 has an intermediate moving member main body 59, an intermediate through-hole portion 61 that is provided in the center of the intermediate moving member main body 59 and through which the intermediate product 33 placed on the rail 24 can pass or the intermediate product 33 can be removed when the intermediate moving member 27 is in the intermediate position P3, and a first engagement portion 62 provided at the rear end of the intermediate moving member main body 59. When the intermediate moving member 27 is in the first position P1, the second product 32 passes through this intermediate through-hole portion 61 (see FIG. 12).

The intermediate through-hole portion 61 has a shape complementary to the inverted truncated cone intermediate product 33, i.e., a semicircular shape, at its front end. The intermediate through-hole portion 61 has a shape that is open to allow the second product 32 to pass through on the side opposite its front end. Therefore, the intermediate through-hole portion 61 has a "U" shape that is convex toward the front and open toward the rear, and penetrates the intermediate moving member main body 59 in a "U" shape. The intermediate through-hole portion 61 has a shape that is open to allow the second product 32 to pass through. Therefore, the intermediate moving member 27 as a whole has a "U" shape that is convex toward the front and open toward the rear.

The intermediate moving member body 59 has a notch 61A near the end of the intermediate through-hole portion 61 that is cut out to form a gap between the resistance member 28 and the intermediate moving member body 59 so as not to interfere with the resistance member 28.

The first engagement portion 62 is formed as a pair of protrusions that protrude upward from a pair of rear ends 59A of the intermediate movable member body 59. As shown in FIG. 8, the first engagement portion 62 can engage with the second engagement portion 57 at the front end of the movable member 25. Therefore, when the store manager pushes the movable member 25 backward when replenishing merchandise, the intermediate movable member 27 is also pushed backward together with the movable member 25.

In this embodiment, one intermediate movable member 27 is used, but two or more intermediate movable members 27 of the same configuration may be provided in series and overlapping with each other at the first position P1. In this way, by increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate movable members 27, the number of products displayed on the product advance device 21 can be increased or decreased as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the biasing member 26 is composed of a so-called spiral spring that generates a pulling force in the rewinding direction when it is pulled out from the reel 64. The biasing member 26 has a cylindrical reel 64 and a metal spring body 65 wound around the outer periphery of the reel 64. The tip of the spring body 65 is hooked onto a hook portion 36A provided on the front end portion 36 of the rail 24 and fixed thereto. Therefore, when the moving member 25 is pulled backward, a pulling force is generated in the biasing member 26, and the moving member 25 can be biased in the forward direction.

In this embodiment, the first product 31, second product 32, and intermediate product 33 to be advanced are products of irregular shapes other than a rectangular prism, such as an inverted frustum. The irregular shapes referred to here include, for example, a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a triangular prism, a polygonal prism with five or more sides, a frustum, and other cylindrical shapes. Also, an inverted frustum refers to a frustum in which the area of the top surface is greater than the area of the base surface.

Next, a method for replenishing products in the product advance device 21 of this embodiment will be described. Note that the first product 31, second product 32, and intermediate product 33 used in this embodiment all have the same shape, and are configured in an inverted truncated cone shape.

The store manager can use his/her hand to pull the movable member 25 backward from the state shown in FIG. 2 to bring it into the state shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. At this time, the movable member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and the intermediate movable member 27 moves from the first position P1 to the intermediate position P3. In this state, the store manager can insert the second product 32 into the second through-hole portion 53 and place the second product 32 on the rail 24. Similarly, the intermediate product 33 can be inserted into the intermediate through-hole portion 61 and place the intermediate product 33 on the rail 24. Finally, the first product 31 can be inserted into the first through-hole portion 45 and place the first product 31 on the rail 24. This brings it into the state shown in FIG. 9.

Furthermore, in this state, the store manager can remove his/her hand from the moving member 25, which is pulling down the moving member 25. In this state, the action of the biasing member 26 applies forward tension to the moving member 25, but the intermediate product 33 that has been inserted through the intermediate through-hole portion 61 acts as a stopper for the moving member 25. In addition, the action of the biasing member 26 and the moving member 25 applies forward tension to the intermediate moving member 27, but the first product 31 that has been inserted through the first through-hole portion 45 acts as a stopper for the intermediate moving member 27. Therefore, in this state, the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 will not move to the first position P1.

In this state, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, other products of the same shape can be stacked and placed on top of the second product 32 placed directly on the rail 24. Similarly, other products of the same shape can be stacked and placed on top of the intermediate product 33 placed directly on the rail 24. Furthermore, other products of the same shape can be stacked and placed on top of the first product 31 placed directly on the rail 24.

In addition, in the product advancement device 21 of this embodiment, the tip of the moving member 25 abuts against the side of the intermediate product 33, so that the intermediate product 33 can be sandwiched between the intermediate through-hole portion 61 and the moving member 25, and the intermediate product 33 can be grasped and held. Similarly, the tip of the intermediate moving member 27 abuts against the side of the first product 31, so that the first product 31 can be sandwiched between the first through-hole portion 45 and the moving member 25, and the first product 31 can be grasped and held. This prevents the intermediate product 33 and the first product 31 from falling off the shelf 16 unintentionally, even if the shelf 16 shakes due to an earthquake or the like.

With reference to Figures 10 to 12, the forward movement of a product when a customer removes a product will be described. In the state shown in Figure 10, when a customer removes the upper product 31A of the first product 31 located in the front row and then removes the first product 31 placed directly on the rail 24, there is no longer a stopper for the intermediate moving member 27. Therefore, the action of the biasing member 26 moves the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27, which is biased when the moving member 25 hits the intermediate product 33, forward. This moves the intermediate moving member 27 from the intermediate position P3 to the first position P1. As a result, as shown in Figure 11, the intermediate product 33 and the other product 33A placed above it are advanced to the front row. As a result, the intermediate product 33 moves into the first through hole 45 of the fixing part 23 while remaining in the intermediate through hole 61, and is held in the first through hole 45.

At this time, the action of the resistance member 28 (rotary damper) that meshes with the rack 44 applies resistance to the movement of the moving member 25, so that the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 pushed out by it are pushed forward slowly. At this time, because the moving member 25 and the intermediate moving member 27 are pushed out extremely slowly, there is no risk that the other product 33A placed above the intermediate product 33 or the other product 32A placed above the second product 32 will unintentionally fall below the shelf.

Then, when the customer removes another product 33A above the intermediate product 33 located in the front row, and then removes the intermediate product 33 placed directly on the rail 24, the stopper for the moving member 25 no longer exists.

As a result, the action of the biasing member 26 moves the movable member 25 forward, and the movable member 25 moves to the first position P1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the second product 32 and the other product 32A placed above it are brought forward to the front row. As a result, the second product 32 moves into the first through hole 45 of the fixed part 23 and into the intermediate through hole 61 of the intermediate movable member 27 while remaining positioned within the second through hole 53, and is held inside these.

At this time, the action of the resistance member 28 (rotary damper) that engages with the rack 44 applies resistance to the movement of the moving member 25, so that the moving member 25 is pushed forward slowly. At this time, because the moving member 25 is pushed out extremely slowly, there is no risk that the other product 32A placed above the second product 32 will unintentionally fall below the shelf.

The customer can then take another product 32A above the second product 32 located in the front row, and then take out the second product 32 that is placed directly on the rail 24. Around the time when all the products on the rail 24 are gone, the store manager can replenish products in the product forward-dispensing device 21 using the method described above.

According to this embodiment, the following can be said. The product front-dispensing device 21 comprises a fixed part 23 having a first through-hole 45 through which the first product 31 can pass and from which the first product 31 can be removed, and a rail 24 provided below the fixed part 23, which fixedly supports the fixed part 23 at its front end 36, and the rail 24 on which the first product 31 that has passed through the first through-hole 45 is placed, and which moves on the rail 24 between a first position P1 overlapping the fixed part 23 and a second position P2 behind the fixed part 23. The movable member 25 has a second through hole portion 53 through which the second product 32 placed on the rail 24 can pass and through which the second product 32 can be removed when the movable member 25 is in the second position P2, and a biasing member 26 that biases the movable member 25 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1. The first through hole portion 45 has a shape complementary to the first product 31 on the front end portion 36 side, and has an open shape on the opposite side to the front end portion 36 so that the second product 32 can pass through.

According to this configuration, when the first product 31 is taken by a customer, the moving member 25 is moved to the first position P1, and the second product 32 can be automatically advanced forward so as to be positioned within the first through-hole portion 45. As described above, even if the side opposite to the front end 36 of the first through-hole portion 45 is open, the moving member 25 biased toward the first position P1 can grab the first product 31 and hold it within the first through-hole portion 45, preventing the risk of the first product 31 falling off the rail 24 due to an earthquake or the like. In addition, when the first product 31 passes through the first through-hole portion 45 and is placed on the rail 24, the moving member 25 biased toward the first position P1 will hit the first product 31, so the presence of the first product 31 allows the moving member 25 to be held at the second position P2.

In this case, the fixing portion 23 is provided integrally with the rail 24. This configuration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure of the product advance device 21. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the product advance device 21.

The product advance device 21 is an intermediate moving member 27 that can move on the rail 24 between a first position P1 and an intermediate position P3 that is behind the first position P1 and ahead of the second position P2. The intermediate moving member 27 has an intermediate through-hole portion 61 through which an intermediate product 33 placed on the rail 24 can pass or through which the intermediate product 33 can be removed when the intermediate moving member 27 is at the intermediate position P3. The intermediate through-hole portion 61 has a shape complementary to the intermediate product 33 on the front end portion 36 side and an open shape on the opposite side to the front end portion 36 to allow the second product 32 to pass through.

According to this configuration, when the intermediate product 33 is picked up by a customer, the intermediate moving member 27 can be moved to the first position P1, and the second product 32 can be automatically advanced so that it is positioned within the intermediate through-hole portion 61. Furthermore, by providing the intermediate moving member 27, the number of products that can be placed on the rails 24 and advanced can be increased. As a result, the number of products that can be placed on the rails 24 increases, reducing the number of times that the store manager needs to replenish products on the product shelves, thereby reducing the workload of the store manager.

In this case, the intermediate moving member 27 has a first engagement portion 62 at the end opposite the front end 36, and the moving member 25 has a second engagement portion 57 that engages with the first engagement portion 62 at the end on the front end 36 side, and when moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the second engagement portion 57 is engaged with the first engagement portion 62, and the intermediate moving member 27 can be pulled to the intermediate position P3.

According to this configuration, the store manager can automatically move the intermediate movable member 27 from the first position P1 to the intermediate position P3 by moving the movable member 25 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. This eliminates the need for the store manager to move the intermediate movable member 27 when replenishing products, reducing the workload of the store manager.

In this case, a resistance member 28 is provided on the moving member 25 and provides resistance when the moving member 25 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

This configuration makes it possible to prevent the movable member 25 from moving forcefully to the second position P2. This prevents the upper products from falling to the bottom of the shelf due to the force of the products being pushed forward, even if there are products stacked on top of the product.

Next, a modified embodiment of the first embodiment will be described. In the following embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted.
[Second embodiment]

The second embodiment of the commodity advance device 21 will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 19. In this embodiment, the main difference from the first embodiment is the configuration of the moving member 25.

For example, the product advance device 21 is fixed to the shelf board 16 by clamping a protrusion on the rear side of the POS rail 17 with a hook portion 22 provided at the front end of the product advance device 21. In other words, the product advance device 21 is configured to be detachable from the shelf board 16 at any position in the width direction W.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the commodity forward-pushing device 21 includes a fixed portion 23, a flat rail 24 provided below the fixed portion 23, a spacer portion 71 provided at the front end 36 of the rail 24, a belt-like moving member 25 that folds back at the front end 36 of the rail 24 and straddles the upper surface 24A and the lower surface 24B of the rail 24, a biasing member 26 that biases the moving member 25 to move from a first position P1 toward a second position P2 described below, a stopper portion 72 provided on the fixed portion 23 and protruding rearward from the front end 36, and a resistance member 28 provided on the moving member 25 to provide resistance to the movement of the moving member 25.

The rail 24 is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material. As shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the rail 24 has a flat rail body 34 on which a first product 31, a second product 32, and an intermediate product 33 (described later) are placed, a pair of side walls 35 rising up in a pair in the vertical direction (height direction H) from both ends of the rail body 34 in the width direction W, a front wall 81 rising from the front part of the rail body 34, a rear wall 82 rising from the rear part of the rail body 34, a pair of horizontal grooves 73 (see Fig. 18) formed so as to be recessed inward on each of the pair of side walls 35, and a rack 44 (see Fig. 18) provided on one of the pair of side walls 35. The rack 44 is formed, for example, so that multiple teeth face horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 18 etc., each of the pair of side walls 35 is formed in a flat plate shape. The pair of side walls 35 are connected to each other via the rear wall portion 82 and the front wall portion 81. Therefore, the pair of side walls 35, the rear wall portion 82, and the front wall portion 81 form a frame around the rail 24.

As shown in FIG. 13, the rear wall 82 is block-shaped and has a first support 54 in the center, which is the same as the first support 54 in the first embodiment. The first support 54 can rotatably hold the reel 64 of the biasing member 26 inside the through hole 54A.

As shown in FIG. 15, the front wall portion 81 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the fixing portion 23 is formed integrally with the upper portion of the front wall portion 81. The front wall portion 81 is formed integrally with the hook portion 22. The fixing portion 23 is formed in a flat plate shape extending laterally (rearward direction F) from the top of the front wall portion 81. The end face of the rear end portion of the fixing portion 23 forms a stopper portion 72. The fixing portion 23 can abut against the side of the product via the stopper portion 72.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the spacer portion 71 can hold the moving member 25 in a floating state above the rail 24, and can space the moving member 25 a predetermined distance from the rail 24. The spacer portion 71 has a roller 74 that is rotatably provided at the front end 36 of the rail 24 or a position near the front end 36. The roller 74 is rotatably supported by a pair of side wall portions 35. The roller 74 has, for example, a cylindrical core material 75 made of a synthetic resin material, and a rubber covering material 76 wrapped around the core material 75.

As shown in FIG. 14, the moving member 25 is formed in the shape of a belt that extends elongatedly in the front-rear direction FR. The moving member 25 is made of a flexible material, for example, a flexible resin material such as an elastomer, but may be made of flexible chemical fibers such as nylon and polyester. As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the moving member 25 has a tip portion 77 arranged on the lower surface 24B side of the rail 24, a first through hole portion 45, a second through hole portion 53 provided behind the first through hole portion 45, an intermediate through hole portion 61 provided between the first through hole portion 45 and the second through hole portion 53, and a flat abutment portion 78 provided behind the second through hole portion 53. The first through hole portion 45, the second through hole portion 53, and the intermediate through hole portion 61 are arranged in series in the front-rear direction.

The movable member 25 is movable on the upper surface 24A and the lower surface 24B between a first position P1 where the first through-hole portion 45 is on the upper surface 24A and close to the front end portion 36 as shown in Figures 13 and 14, and a second position P2 where the second through-hole portion 53 is on the upper surface and close to the front end portion 36 as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the tip portion 77 is formed in a flat plate shape from, for example, a synthetic resin material. The tip of the spring body 65 of the biasing member 26 is fixed to the tip portion 77.

The first through-hole portion 45 is formed in a shape complementary to the inverted frustum-shaped first product 31, i.e., in a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 16, when the first product 31 is placed on the rail 24, the first product 31 can be passed through the first through-hole portion 45, and the first product 31 can be removed from the first through-hole portion 45.

Similarly, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the second through-hole portion 53 is formed in a shape complementary to the inverted frustum-shaped second product 32, i.e., in a circular shape. As shown in Fig. 16, when the second product 32 is placed on the rail 24, the second product 32 can be passed through the second through-hole portion 53 and the second product 32 can be removed from the second through-hole portion 53.

13 and 14, the intermediate through-hole portion 61 is formed in a shape complementary to the intermediate product 33 having an inverted frustum shape, that is, in a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 16, when the intermediate product 33 is placed on the rail 24, the intermediate product 33 can be inserted through the intermediate through-hole portion 61, or the intermediate product 33 can be removed from the intermediate through-hole portion 61. The first product 31, the second product 32, and the intermediate product 33 used in this embodiment are all configured in the same shape, in an inverted frustum shape. In addition, in this embodiment, there is only one intermediate through-hole portion 61, but this is not limited to this. Of course, multiple intermediate through-hole portions 61 may be provided and arranged in series in the front-rear direction. By increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate through-hole portions 61 in this way, the number of products that can be displayed on the product front-dispense device 21 can be appropriately increased or decreased.

13, the abutment portion 78 is integral with the rear side of the second through hole portion 53. The abutment portion 78 can abut against the stopper portion 72, and the action of the biasing member 26 can prevent the second through hole portion 53 from moving toward the lower surface 24B side. For this reason, the front side of the abutment portion 78 is formed in a semicircular shape along the arc of the second through hole portion 53. The abutment portion 78 is formed, for example, from a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 14, the abutment portion 78 has a pair of protrusions 78A extending laterally so as to be inserted into the horizontal groove strip 73 on both side surfaces facing the pair of side wall portions 35. The abutment portion 78 can slide in the front-rear direction along the horizontal groove strip 73 by the pair of protrusions 78A. The resistance member 28 is fixed to the lower surface of the abutment portion 78 by screwing or the like. The configuration of the resistance member 28 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The pinion portion 28A of the resistance member 28 can engage with the rack 44 of the rail 24. The resistance member 28 forms a rack-pinion mechanism with the rack 44 of the rail 24, and can provide a predetermined resistance when the moving member 25 moves.

The biasing member 26 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The spring body 65 of the biasing member 26 extends to the tip portion 77 via the lower surface 24B side of the rail 24. The tip of the spring body 65 is fixed to the tip portion 77 on the lower surface 24B side of the rail 24.

Next, we will explain how to replenish products into the product advance device 21 of this embodiment.

For example, the store manager can use his/her hand to pull the abutment portion 78 of the moving member 25 backward from the state in which the abutment portion 78 is abutting against the stopper portion 72 due to the pulling action of the biasing member 26, thereby bringing the moving member 25 into the state shown in Figs. 13 to 15. At this time, the moving member 25 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1. In this state, the second product 32 can be inserted into the second through-hole portion 53 and placed on the rail 24. Similarly, the intermediate product 33 can be inserted into the intermediate through-hole portion 61 and placed on the rail 24. Finally, the store manager can insert the first product 31 into the first through-hole portion 45 and place the first product 31 on the rail 24, as shown in Fig. 16.

Furthermore, in this state, the store manager can remove his/her hand from the moving member 25, which is pulling down the moving member 25. In this state, the action of the biasing member 26 applies tension in the forward direction to the moving member 25, but the first product 31 that penetrates the first through-hole portion 45 hits the stopper portion 72, which acts as a stopper for the moving member 25. Therefore, in this state, the moving member 25 does not move from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In this state, as in the first embodiment, another product 32A can be placed above the second product 32, another product 33A can be placed above the intermediate product 33, and another product 31A can be placed above the first product 31.

With reference to Figures 16 to 19, the action of pushing a product forward when a customer removes it will be described. In the state shown in Figure 16, if a customer removes the upper product 31A of the first product 31 located in the front row and then removes the first product 31 placed directly on the rail 24, there will be no stopper for the moving member 25. Therefore, the action of the biasing member 26 moves the moving member 25 in the forward direction F. As a result, as shown in Figure 17, the moving member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the middle position P3. At that time, the intermediate product 33 penetrating the middle through-hole portion 61 hits the stopper portion 72, and the movement of the moving member 25 stops. As a result, the intermediate product 33 and the other product 33A placed above it are pushed forward to the front row.

At this time, the action of the resistance member 28 (rotary damper) and the rack 44 provides resistance to the movement of the moving member 25, so that the moving member 25 is pushed forward slowly. At this time, because the moving member 25 is pushed out extremely slowly, there is no risk that the other product 33A placed above the intermediate product 33 or the other product 32A placed above the second product 32 will unintentionally fall below the shelf.

Then, when the customer removes another product 33A above the intermediate product 33 located in the front row, and then removes another intermediate product 33 that is placed directly on the rail 24, the stopper for the moving member 25 again disappears.

As a result, the action of the biasing member 26 moves the movable member 25 forward, and the movable member 25 moves from the intermediate position P3 to the second position P2. As a result, the second product 32 and the other product 32A placed above it are brought forward to the front row, as shown in FIG. 18.

At this time, the action of the resistance member 28 (rotary damper) and the rack 44 provides resistance to the movement of the moving member 25, so that the moving member 25 is pushed forward slowly. At this time, because the moving member 25 is pushed out extremely slowly, there is no risk that the other product 32A placed above the second product 32 will unintentionally fall below the shelf.

The customer can then take another product 32A above the second product 32 located in the front row, and then take out the second product 32 that is placed directly on the rail 24. Around the time when all the products on the rail 24 are gone, the store manager can replenish products in the product forward-dispensing device 21 using the method described above.

According to this embodiment, the following can be said. The product advance device 21 is a fixed part 23, a flat rail 24 provided below the fixed part 23, which fixedly supports the fixed part 23 near its front end 36, the rail 24 on which the first product 31 and the second product 32 are placed, a first through hole 45 through which the first product 31 can pass and through which the first product 31 can be removed, and a second through hole 53 provided behind the first through hole 45 through which the second product 32 can pass and through which the second product 32 can be removed, and a belt-like moving member that folds back at the front end 36 and is provided across the upper surface 24A and the lower surface 24B of the rail 24. The member 25 includes a moving member 25 that can move on the upper surface 24A and the lower surface 24B between a first position P1 where the first through hole portion 45 is on the upper surface 24A and close to the front end portion 36 and a second position P2 where the second through hole portion 53 is on the upper surface 24A and close to the front end portion 36, a biasing member 26 that biases the moving member 25 to move from the first position P1 toward the second position P2, and a stopper portion 72 that is provided on the fixed portion 23 and protrudes rearward beyond the front end portion 36, and that can abut against the first product 31 at the first position P1 and against the second product 32 at the second position P2.

With this configuration, when the first product 31 is picked up by a customer, the moving member 25 can be moved to the second position P2 and automatically moved forward so that the second product 32 is positioned at the front. The first product 31 can be grasped and held in the first through-hole 45 by the moving member 25 and the stopper portion 72 biased toward the second position P2, preventing the risk of the first product 31 falling off the rail 24 due to an earthquake or the like. In addition, when the first product 31 passes through the first through-hole 45 and is placed on the rail 24, the first product 31 biased forward by the biasing member 26 hits the stopper portion 72, so the presence of the first product 31 allows the moving member 25 to be held in the first position P1.

In this case, a spacer portion 71 is provided at the front end portion 36 and separates the moving member 25 from the rail 24 by a predetermined distance.

This configuration makes it possible to prevent the moving member 25 from coming into close contact with the rail 24. This allows the moving member 25 to be securely attached to the first product 31 and the second product 32. This makes it possible to prevent the first product 31 and the second product 32 from falling off the rail 24 unintentionally, such as in an earthquake.

In this case, the spacer portion 71 is a roller that can rotate on its own at the front end portion 36.

This configuration prevents the moving member 25 from getting caught on the front end 36, and allows the spacer portion 71 to smoothly guide the moving member 25 as it moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

In this case, the movable member 25 has an intermediate through hole portion 61 provided at a position between the first through hole portion 45 and the second through hole portion 53, through which the intermediate product 33 placed on the rail 24 can pass and through which the intermediate product 33 can be removed, and the stopper portion 72 can abut against the intermediate product 33 at an intermediate position P3 between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

With this configuration, when the intermediate product 33 is picked up by a customer, the movable member 25 can be moved from the intermediate position P3 to the second position P2, and the second product 32 can be automatically advanced so that it is positioned at the front. Furthermore, by providing the intermediate through-hole portion 61, the number of products that can be placed on the rail 24 and advanced can be increased. This increases the number of products that can be placed on the rail 24, reducing the number of times the store manager needs to replenish products on the product shelves, thereby reducing the workload of the store manager.

In this case, the moving member 25 has an abutment portion 78 that is provided rearward of the second through-hole portion 53 and abuts against the stopper portion 72 to prevent the second through-hole portion 53 from moving toward the lower surface 24B.

This configuration prevents the movable member 25 from moving completely to the lower surface 24B due to the action of the biasing member 26. This makes it easier for the store manager to move the movable member 25 when replenishing merchandise, improving work efficiency.

In this case, a resistance member 28 is provided on the moving member 25 and provides resistance when the moving member 25 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

This configuration makes it possible to prevent the movable member 25 from moving forcefully to the second position P2. This prevents the upper products from falling to the bottom of the shelf due to the force of the products being pushed forward, even if there are products stacked on top of the product.

The above-described embodiments can be implemented with various further substitutions and modifications. Naturally, the above-described different embodiments can also be appropriately combined to form a single invention.

10 shelf 21 product front-pushing device 23 fixed portion 24 rail 24A upper surface 24B lower surface P1 first position P2 second position 25 moving member 26 biasing member 27 intermediate moving member 28 resistance member 31 first product 32 second product 33 intermediate product 36 front end portion 45 first through hole portion 53 second through hole portion 57 second engagement portion P3 intermediate position 61 intermediate through hole portion 62 first engagement portion 71 spacer portion 72 stopper portion 74 roller 77 tip portion 78 abutment portion

Claims (11)

a fixing part having a first through-hole part through which a first product can be passed and through which the first product can be removed;
a rail provided below the fixed portion, the rail fixedly supporting the fixed portion at a front end thereof, and the rail on which the first product passing through the first through-hole portion is placed;
a movable member movable on the rail between a first position overlapping with the fixed portion and a second position rearward of the fixed portion, the movable member having a second through-hole portion through which a second product placed on the rail can pass and through which the second product can be removed when the movable member is at the second position;
a biasing member that biases the moving member from the second position toward the first position;
Equipped with
The first through hole portion has a shape complementary to the first product at the front end side and is open on the opposite side to the front end side to allow the second product to pass through. The product advance device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is integral with the rail. an intermediate movable member that is movable on the rail between the first position and an intermediate position that is rearward of the first position and forward of the second position, the intermediate movable member having an intermediate through-hole portion through which an intermediate product placed on the rail can pass when the intermediate movable member is at the intermediate position or through which the intermediate product can be removed;
The product advance-dispatch device according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate through-hole portion has a shape complementary to the intermediate product at the front end side and an open shape at the opposite side to the front end to allow the second product to pass through. the intermediate moving member has a first engagement portion at an end portion opposite to the front end portion,
The product front-pushing device described in claim 3, wherein the movable member has a second engagement portion at an end portion on the front end side that engages with the first engagement portion, and when moving from the first position to the second position, the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion, thereby towing the intermediate movable member to the intermediate position. The product advancement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a resistance member provided on the moving member to provide resistance when the moving member moves from the second position to the first position. A fixed portion;
a flat rail provided below the fixed portion, the flat rail fixedly supporting the fixed portion near a front end thereof and on which the first product and the second product are placed;
a belt-like movable member having a first through hole portion through which the first product can pass and through which the first product can be removed, and a second through hole portion through which the second product can pass and through which the second product can be removed and which is provided rearward of the first through hole portion, the belt-like movable member being folded back at the front end portion and provided across the upper and lower surfaces of the rail, the belt-like movable member being movable on the upper and lower surfaces between a first position where the first through hole portion is on the upper surface and close to the front end portion, and a second position where the second through hole portion is on the upper surface and close to the front end portion;
a biasing member that biases the moving member so as to move from the first position toward the second position;
a stopper portion provided on the fixing portion and protruding rearward from the front end portion, the stopper portion being capable of contacting a first product in the first position and a second product in the second position;
A product front-dispensing device equipped with the device. The product forward-pushing device according to claim 6, which has a spacer portion provided at the front end portion to space the moving member a predetermined distance from the rail. The product forward-dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the spacer portion is a roller that can rotate at the front end portion. the movable member has an intermediate through hole portion provided at a position between the first through hole portion and the second through hole portion, the intermediate through hole portion through which an intermediate product placed on the rail can pass and through which the intermediate product can be removed,
The product advance-dispatch device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the stopper portion is capable of contacting the intermediate product at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The product advance device according to claim 6, wherein the moving member has an abutment portion provided rearward of the second through-hole portion, and abuts against the stopper portion to prevent the second through-hole portion from moving toward the lower surface side. The product advancement device according to claim 6, further comprising a resistance member provided on the moving member to provide resistance when the moving member moves from the first position to the second position.

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