JP2005091995A - Tag for food management - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tag for food management which does not require a separate device for the tag, is small, easy to use and suitably structured for cost reduction, and clearly notifies a consumer of information regarding food information and use-by date of each food by a simple method. <P>SOLUTION: The tag for food management manages food stored in a refrigerator comprises: a storage means for storing the food information regarding the food; an notification means for notifying a user of the food information stored in the storage means: and a power supply means to supply power to the storage means and the notification means, and the food information is confirmed by the notification means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a food management tag for managing food in a refrigerator.

  In general, food names and contents, expiration dates, etc. are displayed on food packages and containers, but consumers fully remember information such as expiration dates for food before placing it in the refrigerator. I did not do so, so I often missed the best-before date. For this reason, there are refrigerators that input food information to the refrigerator and display the expiration date on a display for notification, and refrigerators that read the food information from a barcode and display the expiration date in the same manner.

  A refrigerator having such a food management function is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the refrigerator in Patent Document 1. In the figure, a refrigerator 101 includes a display device 103 attached to a door 102, and displays items stored in the refrigerator. The display device 103 includes a display device 104 that displays food stored in each room, and an input keyboard 105 connected to the display device 104. When the expiry date of the food input by the input keyboard 105 approaches, the item column of the display on which the food name is displayed blinks or lights up.

  Moreover, it discloses by patent document 2 as another refrigerator for food management. In this document, a non-contact IC tag is attached to food, and information about the contents of the food and storage conditions is recorded in the IC memory of the IC tag. The refrigerator reads the information so that the food is refrigerated under suitable conditions. Further, by reading information on the expiration date of food and the expiration date with a refrigerator, a warning is issued when the expiration date or expiration date approaches.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-311665 JP 2001-317862 A

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, before entering the refrigerator, it is necessary to manually input food information such as the food name and the expiration date of the food using the input keyboard 105. Further, in Patent Document 1, when the barcode is read, it is impossible to read all the information on the food, so that all the information necessary for refrigeration and frozen storage cannot be recorded. Further, since the input keyboard 105 and the barcode reading tool are provided, the structure becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases.

  In addition, in the case of Patent Document 2, for food produced in factories or the like, food manufacturers may attach IC tags. However, in addition to foods such as fish and vegetables purchased directly from the market, retail stores such as fish shops and greengrocers are available. Because it is difficult to attach IC tags to foods one by one, the refrigerator cannot easily obtain information on all foods. In addition, in order to reuse IC tags that have been consumed after consumption of food, a large-scale collection system that collects them from each home and distributes them again to each food manufacturer is required. It is difficult to reuse IC tags. Furthermore, the IC tag is relatively expensive, and an apparatus for setting an identification code for food information on the IC tag is also expensive, and it takes time to set the identification code. Moreover, since this IC tag cannot be used without a refrigerator for reading food information, the consumer must purchase this refrigerator.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is not to require a separate tag device, a structure that is small and easy to use, suitable for cost reduction, and a simple method for information on food information and expiration date of each food, It is another object of the present invention to provide a food management tag that can be clearly notified to consumers.

The object of the present invention is a food management tag for managing food stored in a refrigerator, the storage means storing food information relating to the food, and the food information stored in the storage means. This is achieved by providing notifying means for notifying a person, and means for supplying power to the storing means and the notifying means so that the food information can be confirmed by the notifying means.

  The object is effectively achieved by including an input unit for inputting the food information, and storing the food information input by the input unit in the storage unit.

  Moreover, the said objective is effectively achieved by the said alerting | reporting means having the display part of the said food information.

  Moreover, the said objective is effectively achieved by the said food information including a shelf life.

  Moreover, the said objective is effectively achieved because the said input means has a button for inputting an expiration date.

  Moreover, the said objective is effectively achieved by having the light which the said alerting | reporting means turns on or blinks when a best-before date approaches.

  Further, the above object is effectively achieved by changing the light emission color of the light that is turned on or blinking as the expiration date approaches.

  Moreover, the said objective is effectively achieved by having the buzzer which emits a warning sound when the said notification means approaches the said expiration date.

  Moreover, the said objective is achieved effectively by the said electric power supply means being a photorechargeable battery.

  According to the food management tag of the present invention, storage means for storing food information and information on the expiration date, and notification means for notifying the user of the expiration date based on the information stored in the storage means; And a power supply means for operating the storage means and the notification means. When the expiration date approaches, the light provided as the notification means is turned on or blinks, and the buzzer emits a warning sound. Thereby, the consumer can clearly know the food information such as the expiration date of each food by a simple method. Further, since the food management tag does not require a separate tag device, it is easy to handle and can manage food at low cost.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food management tag according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a food management tag according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a food management tag 1 is composed of a main body member 2 and a sandwiching member 3 paired with the main body member 2, and a back surface 2 b of the main body member 2 and a back surface 3 b of the sandwiching member 3. Are connected to face each other. The main body member 2 and the sandwiching member 3 are engaged with each other via engaging shafts 2a and 3a projecting from intermediate portions on the back surfaces 2b and 3b, respectively, via an axis 4 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the member. These shafts 4 are connected so as to be able to rotate in the direction of the arrows in the figure. In addition, a spring 5 that biases the main body member 2 and the holding member 3 in a closing direction is attached to the rear of the engaging portions 2a and 3a (left side in FIG. 1).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the food management tag 1 is mounted with a part of the food 6 sandwiched between the main body member 2 and the holding member 3. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the food 6 having no portion that can be sandwiched, such as a pack containing raw vegetables or fish, is provided on a part of the surface 3 t of the holding member 3. It is designed to be attached to a part of the food 6 by the mounting means. As this mounting means, for example, a pin type (FIG. 2 (b)) for inserting and fixing the pin 7 to the food 6 and a string type (FIG. 2 (2) for fixing the food 6 with a string (or ring-like rubber)). c)), and an adhesive type fixed by an adhesive tape. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the food management tag 1 may be arranged on a shelf or a wall in the refrigerator 9 in which the food 6 is received.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main body member 2 includes a storage unit 10 having a ROM 10 a in which food information such as the expiration date is stored in advance, and a light 11 a that notifies the remaining expiration date as the expiration date approaches. , A notification means 11 having a buzzer 11 b for generating a warning sound, a control means 12 having a CPU 12 a for controlling the storage means 10 and the notification means 11, and a battery 13 as a power supply means for operating the control means 12. And. Further, a switch 14 provided on the surface 2 t of the main body member 2 is connected to the control means 12.

  When this switch 14 is turned on, the CPU 12a having a time measuring function is activated. The CPU 12a reads the expiration date information stored in the ROM 10a, and when the expiration date approaches, the light 11a is turned on or blinks to notify the remaining expiration date. It comes to emit. For example, when the expiration date is 3 days, the 3D light 11a is turned on or blinking. When the expiration date is 2 days, the 2D light 11a is turned on or blinking, and the expiration date is 1 day. The 1D light 11a is turned on or blinks. In addition, by setting the light emission colors of each light to blue, yellow, and red, the user can instantly recognize the remaining expiration date, and the food 6 can be easily and low-cost without spending the expiration date. Can be managed. When managing several types of foods 6 with different expiration dates, for example, a tag for 3 days 1, a tag for 5 days, a tag for 10 days, a tag for 10 days, based on the expiration date stored in advance in the ROM 10a. This can be dealt with by preparing several types of tags 1 such as 1. Thereby, it is not necessary to separately provide an input device for changing the expiration date, and it can be manufactured with a simple structure and at a low cost.

  5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the food management tag according to the present invention. The same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The food management tag 1 ′ includes a storage unit 10 having an input unit 15 having an input button 15 a for inputting the expiration date, a RAM 10 b for storing input information, and a ROM 10 a for storing information in advance. And a notification means 11 having a light 11a 'for notifying the remaining expiration date by a change in emission color as the expiration date approaches, and a buzzer 11b for emitting a warning sound, and a CPU 12a for controlling the storage means 10 and the notification means 11. And a battery 13 ′ as power supply means for operating the control means 12.

  Further, the food management tag 1 ′ can be operated by pressing the input button 15 a corresponding to the expiration date of the food 6 to be attached from among the plurality of input buttons 15 a provided on the surface 2 t ′ of the main body member 2 ′. The CPU 12a having the function is activated. The CPU 12a writes the information input to the RAM 10b and reads the information stored in the ROM 10a and the RAM 10b. When the input expiration date approaches, the light 11a ′ is lit or blinked, and based on the remaining time limit. For example, it emits blue light three days before the expiration date, yellow light two days ago, and red light one day ago. Furthermore, the buzzer 11b emits a warning sound when a predetermined remaining expiration date is reached. Thereby, the user can manage the food 6 with different expiration dates without spending the expiration date with simple handling. Further, a light receiving portion 16 is provided on the surface 2t ′ of the main body member 2 ′, and the light receiving portion receives the light from the interior light 9a and the outside of the refrigerator 9 that are turned on when the door of the refrigerator 9 is opened, and charges the battery 13. Photorechargeable battery or solar battery. As a result, the user can save time and effort for replacing the battery, and can easily manage food.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of 1st Example of the tag for food management which concerns on this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state which pinched | interposed and attached the food management tag to a part of foodstuff. (B) is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the tag for food management by the pin type. (C) is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the tag for food management by the string type. It is a front view which shows the state which stocked food and the tag for food management in the refrigerator. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the said tag for food management. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of 1st Example of the tag for food management which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the said tag for food management. It is a front view which shows the conventional refrigerator for food management.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Food management tag 10 Memory | storage means 11 Notification means 11a Light 11b Buzzer 13 Battery 15 Input means

Claims (9)

A food management tag for managing food stored in the refrigerator,
Storage means for storing food information relating to the food;
Notification means for notifying the user of the food information stored in the storage means;
Power supply means to the storage means and the notification means,
A food management tag, wherein the food information can be confirmed by the notification means. The food management tag according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit for inputting the food information, wherein the food information input by the input unit is stored in the storage unit. The food management tag according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes a display unit for the food information. The food management tag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the food information includes an expiration date. The food management tag according to claim 2, wherein the input means includes a button for inputting a best-before date. The food management tag according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the notification means includes a light that is turned on or blinks when the expiration date approaches. The food management tag according to claim 6, wherein the light changes a light emission color that is turned on or blinking as the expiration date approaches. The food management tag according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the notification means includes a buzzer that emits a warning sound when the expiration date approaches. The food management tag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power supply means is a photorechargeable battery.

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