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FUJI ELECTRIC JOURNAL 2002 Vol.75-No.4
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Vending Machines |
Present Status and Prospects for Vending Machines
Tooru Kajimura, Nobuhiko Kametani, Toshihisa Miyagishi
The number of automatic vending and service machines used in Japan at the end of 2000 exceeds about 5.6 million, and the number of units per citizen is the highest in the world. Now vending machines play an indispensable role in daily life. Recent vending machines need to meet social request and problems such as (1) friendly machines to global environment, (2) compatibility with recycling production, (3) strict measures for crime prevention, (4) full application of information technology, (5) improvement in sale per machine. This paper describes recent developments in the production and future prospects for vending machines.
A Java Platform Embedded in Vendor Systems
Hisataka Takeda, Mitsuyoshi Nakatani, Masami Takada
To develop vending machines into the core of commodity distributing information management, Fuji Electric developed a Java platform capable of executing Java programs as the basis to easily realize the networking of vending machines and the expansion of functions for application. The vending machine mounted with a Java platform can utilize information technologies such as networks and portable apparatuses, facilitate quick and dynamic expansion of functions, and meet various systems. This paper describes the hardware and software of the Java platform applied to vending machines.
Java-Mounted Vending Machines
Yukio Makita, Takeo Nakano, Kouji Yorita
In the business of commodity sales with vending machines, the rationalization of operation is an important problem in profit improvement. To solve the problem, utilizing information technology, Fuji Electric has developed a vending machine in which application software written with Java operates to meet customer needs flexibly and speedily. This paper describes the features of the Java-mounted vending machine, examples of actual application and major construction technology.
Solutions for Vendor Operations
Junichi Hiramatsu, Ryohsuke Fukuoka, Kenya Murakami
Fuji Electric developed a core system for solutions for increasing the efficiency of vendor operations. It contains the following subsystems: (1) a route scheduling system for replenishment based on data from on-line vendors, (2) a marketing support system to recommend a brand assortment suitable for vendor surroundings, (3) a rationalization system for appropriate allotment to the columns, (4) a visual support system for designing the arrangement of columns and display cans. Combining these new tools with the existing sales management system, Fuji Electric pr ovides customers with optimal front-office solutions for vendor operators that fit their goals and new business styles.
Coin Mechanism and Bill Validator with Preventive Maintenance Functions
Kazuyoshi Miyasaka, Hiroshi Matsufuji
To meet market demands for the coin mechanism and bill validator of vending machines, efforts have been made to improve validating pecision against counter feit coins and bills and mechanism reliability. Recently, however, further improvement in the preventive functions against mischief and faults has been required. To meet these requirements, Fuji Electric has developed vending machines with preventive functions. The major features are as follows: (1) preventive maintenance functions against mischief, dirt, and faults, (2) past-operation-recording function that stores operation time and the number of total passes as non-volatile memory, (3) complete inter changeability with the former types because the new functions are provided as an extended command.
Vending Machine with an Automatic Lidding Mechanism
Kenichi Hamamoto, Masayuki Wada, Takafumi Ito
Fuji Electric has first in the world developed a cup vending machine which automatically puts a lid within the machine and has effects of car rying easily and also keeping flavor and temperature. This machine is expected to stimulate the expansion of location and sales and is well spoken of by customers. We expect it will activate the market. The conveyance and position stabilization of the light lids were major technical problems; however, they were solved by adopting a suitable structure for the lid conveying chute and lid position control using two conical guides.
Fully Automated Filter-Paper-Type Coffee Machine
Shojiro Onzuka, Mikio Kawabata, Takayuki Muraki
Based on the expansion of the coffee market, Fuji Electric has developed a fully automated filter-paper-type coffee machine first in the world. By means of a newly developed decompressed extraction system and rolled filter paper, this machine can extract natural taste and substance and can stably sell tasty coffee in quantity. This paper describes (1) the background and points of the development, (2) features, (3) specifications, and (4) constr uction, of the machine.
Cup Vending Machine with an Espresso Extraction Mechanism
Manabu Ueno, Masahiro Takebayashi, Hisao Matsumoto
To increase sales and profits per cup vending machine, following the espresso coffee boom rapidly rising, Fuji Electric developed an original espresso extraction mechanism that can extract both espresso and regular coffee and mounted it in the cup vending machine. This paper describes the features, specifications and construction of the cup vending machine, focusing on the espresso extraction mechanism.
Hot and Cold Cup Vending Machine of Small Size
Toshio Takagi, Koji Mori, Akitoshi Takano
Recent market needs for cup vending machines are those compatible with indoor installation that are designed to reduce installation space targeting at small-scale location. To meet these needs, Fuji Electric developed downsizing technology for the mechanisms and completed a hot and cold cup vending machine of small size capable of selling syrup drinks. This paper describes the features, specifications, and construction of this vending machine, focusing on the downsizing technology.
Vendor Showcase for Dual-Performance Stores
Kazukiyo Nakano, Koji Kawakami, Yuji Tachi
The profitability of stores for offices, factories, hospitals, etc. did not of ten become a problem from the viewpoint of public welfare. Recently, however, these stores have been requir ed of self -paying to reduce the expenses because of the long depression. To meet the requirement, Fuji Electric has developed a machine for dual-per formance stores. This aims at substantial welfare and also reduction in expenses by reducing personnel expenses by operating it as an open showcase in the busy time of morning and noontime and as a vending machine in the other inactive time. This paper describes the major features and constr uction of the vendor showcase.
Multi-Purpose Food Vending Machine
Tatsuya Kobayashi, Masahiro Nishi, Takeshi Tamura
Recently, there has been a growing need for labor-saving or unmanned store functions in workshops, and multi-purpose vending machines capable of selling a wide variety of commodities by one unit are desired. To meet this need, Fuji Electric has developed a multi-purpose food vending machine with a commodity catcher system mounted. This machine is capable of selling various commodities such as box lunches, sandwiches, and rice balls in addition to breads and cakes, and shows customers the conveying process of a commodity through glass, making them feel easy and pleasant. This paper describes the major features and construction of the machine.
New-Series Can Vending Machines
Haruyuki Ueda, Yoshikazu Saito
With regard to can vending machines, the route man of a drink maker or a store employee does commodity replenishment and replacement and also cash collection and supplement, and so the machines need to be easy to handle. Widely used by children and adults, they also need to be easy for customers to use. This paper describes a newly developed series in which the door that faces customers, the racks that contain and sell commodities, the body that cools or heats commodities, and electrical equipment that controls the sale and the cooling and heating equipment have been remodeled.
Quality Keeping Mechanism for Drinks in Vending Machines
Yoshitada Tamura, Takashi Ishida
It is known that drink quality deteriorates when drinks are kept heated for long time in vending machines. To resolve this problem, Fuji Electric developed vending machines with different systems than before. They are sold-bottle heating system that heats a sold bottle from a cold or normal state, keeping system in two stages that limits the number of bottles kept heated, and the number-of -bottles control system that in advance controls the number of bottles to be heated according to selling conditions. This paper describes the features, specifications, and constr uction of these systems.
