ES1279416U - ROBOT DISPENSER OF BEVERAGES AND OTHER PRODUCTS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Robot dispenser for drinks and other products, characterized by comprising, incorporated in a prismatic structure (2): - at least one tap (3) beverage dispenser, - a cup dispenser (4), - an articulated arm (5), with clamping claws (6) at its distal end, and an artificial vision system, - a central computer equipped with specific programmable software, - a touch screen (7), - and means of payment (8); in which all this is connected to electrical power supply means and such that the central computer controls the operation of the articulated arm (5) based on options entered by a user through the touch screen (7) connected to the computer as an interface, and after paying for the service, for said arm to carry out the necessary movements to: - place a glass from the dispenser (4) under the tap (3), - carry out all those maneuvers required to obtain the product requested by the user, both before and after filling it, and - to subsequently place said glass in an accessible way to the user on a serving tray (9). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ROBOT DISPENSER OF BEVERAGES AND OTHER PRODUCTS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the wording of the present specification, refers to a robot dispenser for drinks and other products that provides, for the purpose for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

The object of the present invention lies in a robotic system for the dispensing and preparation of beverages and packaged products, mainly food, which, formed in the form of a mobile cart with wheels to be easily transported, without discarding its optional installation as a fixed structure, It contains everything necessary to be able to prepare, serve and charge in a totally autonomous way the drinks or products requested by users through a touch screen and / or through a mobile APP, for which it essentially comprises, an articulated arm controlled from a central computer that manages all operations.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention is framed within the catering sector and the vending food industry, encompassing at the same time the field of robotics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although all types of robotic machines are known on the market that perform a multitude of tasks in different areas of the industry, at least by the applicant, the existence of any specifically is unknown. built to prepare, dispense and charge beverages and other products, as well as any that present technical and structural characteristics equal or similar to those presented herein, and whose purpose is to provide the market with a means to perform said service, as it would do. any waiter or waitress in a totally autonomous way, for example for installation in locations where the presence of professionals is not possible or locations where it can serve as support for them.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The robot dispenser of beverages and other products that the invention proposes is configured as the ideal solution to the aforementioned objective, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is a robotic system for the dispensing and preparation of beverages and packaged products, mainly foodstuffs, which contains everything necessary to be able to prepare, serve and charge in a totally autonomous way. drinks or products requested by users through a touch screen.

More specifically, the robot is configured from a cart that is equipped with wheels to be easily transported or moved, although it can optionally be installed permanently as a kiosk, which, in any case, has everything you need. to be able to work completely autonomously.

It can prepare and serve drinks, such as draft beers, coffees, cocktails, juices, wines, mixed soft drinks, etc., for which it has at least one dispensing post with one or more taps connected to different types of drinks housed in suitably refrigerated compartments.

Furthermore, preferably, the robot is also equipped with an ice machine and a glass dispenser of one or more formats, which can be both glass like plastic.

In any case, the robot has an articulated arm, which is the element that performs the entire operation, everything being controlled from a central computer, conveniently equipped with specific programmable software, which receives orders, according to the orders made by customers. / users through a touch screen, and from where all operations are managed.

The articulated arm has fixed or mobile claws, depending on the application, to be able to take the vessels and carry out the operation.

The robot also includes an artificial vision system, with different types of sensors, which controls the quality of the products in preparation.

It is important to note that the robot can include means to serve one or more types of drinks of a different nature, for example soft drinks, beers, wines, or coffees, for which the arm is able to autonomously and automatically carry out all the necessary actions. that involve serving the different types of drink.

Thus, for example, the trolley may be designed to serve beer, in which case it will have at least one column with a pull tap, and in addition, or alternatively, it may be intended to serve coffee, be it espresso, barista type. or coffee from a nespresso machine, the arm being able to carry out the necessary movements for each case.

For example, in the case of serving barista coffee, the robotic arm manipulates the entire operation just like a waiter does in a bar: he takes the handle, fills it with ground coffee, places it in the machine, activates the hot water under pressure. , the arm places the glass underneath to receive the coffee, once the coffee glass is full, in case something other than a single coffee has been requested, it takes the glass to the milk tank area, activating this remotely or by pressing a button, to make the coffee according to the choice (cut, stained, etc.). In other words, the arm does everything that a person does.

In the case of machine coffee, it can be by capsules, or by coffee powder, but all made by a machine, so the arm only places the glass and presses the corresponding button.

To serve the beer, there is a glass dispenser, both plastic and glass, from which the articulated arm takes the glass, to place it under the beer handle, an electrovalve activated by the robot through an electrical signal, makes that the beer comes out or cut at the request of the user.

The machine vision system recognizes the amount of beer being served and the amount of foam. Once served, it is placed in the delivery area.

In the same way, the articulated robotic arm will be able to serve barrel wines, the kind that are sold in barrels and are served with handles such as beer, which can be red, white and / or cava (sparkling) wine.

In any case, users place orders through the aforementioned touch screen or mobile APP, select the products and pay through a credit card and / or through a built-in coin and banknote purse system or through a Smartphone APP, for which the computer has a remote access communication module with Wi-Fi and 4G / 5G

Preferably, to power the robot, it has a plug for connection to a mains socket, although optionally, it has rechargeable batteries and / or a solar panel system that allows its operation independently of a mains supply network. electrical to be able to install it anywhere.

With all this, the main advantages provided by the robot are, among others: - the dispensing of beverages and other food products with a total guarantee of hygienic safety,

- quality assured in each service,

- provide a unique user experience,

- reduction of the cost of operation,

- high productivity, it can work 24 hours 7 days a week,

- full control over sales.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is attached, as an integral part thereof, to a plan in which, with an illustrative and non-limiting character, has represented the following:

Figure number 1.- Shows a schematic representation in perspective of an embodiment of the robot dispenser of drinks and other products that is the object of the invention, showing its external configuration and the main parts and elements it comprises.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the described figure 1 and only, and in accordance with the numbering adopted in it, an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the robot dispenser of drinks and other products of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is described in detail below.

Thus, as can be seen in said figure, the robot (1) of the invention comprises, incorporated in a prismatic structure (2), basically:

- at least one beverage dispenser tap (3), connected to a tank with a refrigerated system (not shown),

- a cup dispenser (4),

- an articulated arm (5), with clamping claws (6) at its distal end, and an artificial vision system,

- a central computer (not shown as it is protected inside the structure) equipped with specific programmable software,

- a touch screen (7),

- and some means of payment (8),

all of this being connected to electrical power supply means and such that the central computer controls the operation of the articulated arm (5) based on the options entered by a user through the touch screen (7) connected to the computer as an interface, and after making the payment of the service, so that said arm makes the necessary movements to:

- place a glass from the dispenser (4) under the tap (3),

- carry out all those maneuvers required to obtain the product requested by the user, both before and after filling, and

- to subsequently place said glass in a manner accessible to the user on a serving tray (9).

Preferably, the robot (1) includes a communication module with remote access to the Internet via Wi-Fi and 4G, such that it allows the robot manager (1) to control and manage operation, production and programming.

Preferably, the structure (2) of the robot (1) is in the form of a cart with wheels (10) and a handling handle (11) to facilitate its transport. Preferably, said cart-shaped structure (2) has dimensions of 1225 mm high (h), 1030 wide (a) and 1311 long (l), with a weight, when empty, of approximately 130 kg and a up to 280kg capacity when loaded.

In one embodiment, the dispensing tap (3) is a beer handle incorporated in a column (12) with a shelf (13) for collecting excess liquid installed in the upper part of the structure (2). However, it should be understood that this is not a limitation and that the robot (1) can include one or more types of tap (3) dispensing one or more types of beverages, for example soft drinks, wines, coffees, as well as slushies, ice cream or others.

Preferably, the structure (2) has a methacrylate screen or protective glass (14) that surrounds the upper part of the screen on which the tap (3) and the articulated arm (5) are located, among others, of so that they are inaccessible to the user, there is a practicable area (15) that gives access to the service tray (9) to collect the requested drink.

Preferably, the robot (1) further comprises an ice machine (not shown).

Preferably, as means of payment (8), the robot (1) has a credit card reader associated with a dataphone, although, optionally, it also includes, or alternatively, a coin mechanism that accepts bills and coins and / or or a remote payment system via smartphone APP.

Preferably, in addition to optical sensors in the artificial vision system of the articulated arm (5), the robot (1) also comprises capacitive sensors on the serving tray (9), to detect the presence of a vessel therein, ultrasonic sensors to the cup dispenser (4) and flow sensor for the tap (3).

Preferably, the articulated arm (5) has six pivot points, five on the arm itself, one on the claws (6), as well as a handling capacity of 5Kg being expandable if necessary up to 22Kg. Furthermore, preferably, the claws (6) are interchangeable, to be able to incorporate fixed or mobile claws, depending on the need of each case.

Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, the robot (1) includes speakers (16), to emit informative messages, and LED lights (17) indicating the operating status as well as, optionally, decorative lights and a screen (TV) for broadcasting. advertising.

Finally, it should be noted that for the electrical power supply of the robot (1), preferably, it contemplates the inclusion of a connection plug to a mains socket, although, optionally, also or alternatively, it has rechargeable batteries and / or with solar panels that provide it with autonomy of operation.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to extend its explanation so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims (13)

1. - Robot dispenser for drinks and other products, characterized by comprising, incorporated in a prismatic structure (2): - at least one drink dispenser tap (3), - a cup dispenser (4), - an articulated arm (5), with clamping claws (6) at its distal end, and an artificial vision system, - a central computer equipped with specific programmable software, - a touch screen (7), - and means of payment (8); in which all this is connected to some electrical power supply means and such that, the central computer controls the operation of the articulated arm (5) based on options entered by a user through the touch screen (7) connected to the computer as an interface , and after making the payment of the service, so that said arm makes the necessary movements to: - place a glass from the dispenser (4) under the tap (3), - carry out all those maneuvers required to obtain the product requested by the user, both before and after filling, and - to subsequently place said glass in a manner accessible to the user on a serving tray (9). 2. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a communication module with remote access to the Internet via Wi-Fi and 4G / 5G. 3. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the structure (2) is shaped like a cart with wheels (10) and a handle (11) to facilitate transport. 4.- Robot dispenser for drinks and other products, according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the dispensing tap (3) is a beer or wine shooter incorporated in a column (12) with a shelf (13) for collecting excess liquid installed on the upper part of the structure (2). 5. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (2) has a protective methacrylate screen (14) that surrounds perimeter the upper part of the same on which the tap (3) and the articulated arm (5), there being a practicable area (15) that gives access to the service tray (9). 6. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a machine for ice. 7. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that, as means of payment (8), it has a credit card reader associated with a dataphone and / or with a coin mechanism and / or with remote payment system via smartphone APP. 8. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises optical sensors in the artificial vision system of the articulated arm (5), capacitive sensors in the serving tray (9), ultrasonic sensors for the cup dispenser (4) and flow sensor for the tap (3). 9. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulated arm (5) has six pivot points, five on the arm itself, one on the claws (6). 10. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the claws (6) of the articulated arm (5) are interchangeable between fixed or mobile claws. 11. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it includes loudspeakers (16). 12. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes LED lights indicating (17) the operating status and TV screen 13. - Robot dispenser of drinks and other products, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the electrical supply it includes a plug for connection to a mains socket and / or rechargeable batteries and / or solar panels.