Disclosure of Invention
The present invention provides a processing device module for a food processing station, the processing device module comprising:
a main body extending in a vertical direction by a certain height;
a fixed platform formed by a top deck of the main body;
a movable platform pivotally connected to the fixed platform in a longitudinal direction and allowing movement between a horizontal position and a vertical position by operation; and
a locking mechanism that supports and positions the movable platform at least when the movable platform is rotated to a horizontal position;
the processing device modules are arranged adjacent to other processing device modules of the food processing station along the longitudinal direction, the fixed platforms of the processing device modules jointly form a first operating platform for an operator at one side of the food processing station along the longitudinal direction to prepare food, and the movable platforms of the processing devices jointly form a second operating platform for an operator at the other side of the food processing station along the longitudinal direction to prepare food when the movable platforms are in the horizontal position.
In comparison with the prior art, the food processing station composed of the processing device modules of the present invention is not arranged close to a wall, but a space is left at both sides in the longitudinal direction of the food processing station, and the fixed operating platform and the movable operating platform are provided at the opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the food processing station, thereby allowing the arrangement of workers at both sides of the processing station for food preparation, so as to be used for the workers to prepare food at, for example, a meal peak, and improving the production efficiency. Meanwhile, during the non-dining peak period, the movable operating platform can rotate from the horizontal position to the vertical position and can be fixed, so that more space is reserved for a kitchen, and people can conveniently carry out activities such as dining room arrangement or cleaning.
Advantageously, the locking mechanism comprises:
a rotating structure including a triangular frame composed of a vertical bar, a horizontal bar, and support bars connecting the vertical bar and the horizontal bar at both ends, respectively, wherein the vertical bar is pivotably connected to a side of a main body of the processing device module; and
and the fixed structure is arranged on the bottom surface of the movable platform and is clamped with the horizontal rod to fix the rotating structure when the rotating structure rotates to a preset position by taking the vertical rod as a rotating shaft.
Advantageously, a support and a sleeve are arranged on a side surface of the main body of the processing device, wherein one end of the vertical rod is rotatably supported on the support, and the other end of the vertical rod is rotatably sleeved in the sleeve, so as to allow the rotating structure to rotate by taking the vertical rod as a rotating shaft.
Advantageously, a clamping seat is provided on the bottom surface of the movable platform, the clamping seat being provided with a clamping groove, the position of the clamping groove corresponding to the predetermined rotational position of the horizontal rod, the height of the clamping groove being such that when the rotary structure is rotated to the same direction as the direction of the horizontal rod and the clamping groove, the horizontal rod is clamped into the clamping groove to fix the rotary structure.
Advantageously, when the movable platform is in the vertical position, the movable platform is located below the fixed platform, and the vertical rod is snapped into the snapping groove of the snapping seat to lock the movable platform in the vertical position.
Advantageously, the processing device module is a thermal insulation device comprising a thermal insulation container located between the fixed platform and the movable platform.
Advantageously, the processing plant module is a cold storage plant comprising a cold well area between the fixed and movable platforms, the cold well area comprising a plurality of cold wells open at the top, the top of the cold wells being provided with a cover at the same level as the first operating platform for common use in food preparation.
Advantageously, the cover comprises first and second opposing cover doors, wherein the first and second cover doors are each laterally pivotably connected to the first work platform.
Advantageously, the first and second lid doors each comprise two lid panels pivotally interconnected in a lateral direction.
Advantageously, the refrigeration unit further comprises a drawer-style refrigerated cabinet disposed beneath the fixed platform.
Detailed Description
The terms "first," "second," and the like, as may be used in the following description, are not intended to limit any order, but merely distinguish between various separate components, features, structures, elements, and the like, which may be the same, similar, or different. Meanwhile, descriptions about orientations, such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", "radial", "axial", and the like, which may be used in the following description, are only for convenience of description unless explicitly stated, and are not intended to form any limitation on the technical solution of the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a food processing station to which the processing device module according to the invention is applied, which is assembled from a plurality of individual processing devices in the form of modules. For convenience of description, taking the orientation shown in fig. 1 as an example, the direction from left to right or from right to left is the longitudinal or longitudinal direction of the food processing station or each module, the direction perpendicular to the paper plane is the transverse direction of the food processing station or each module, the direction from top to bottom or from bottom to top is the height direction or the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the height direction is the horizontal direction.
The food processing station shown in the figure has three processing modules arranged in the longitudinal direction, namely a frying device 10, a temperature maintaining device 30 and a cold storage device 50. The type, number and location of the processing devices may be adjusted as required for a particular production. That is, the food processing station according to the invention may select other types of processing means than those shown in the figures, depending on the actual needs. For example, although the number of each type of processing device is one in the figure, two or more types of processing devices may be used. Furthermore, in addition to processing devices of the type shown in the figures, other types of processing devices, such as breading processing devices and the like, may be reduced or added depending on the specific production needs.
The processing station shown in the figure comprises, in addition to a plurality of processing devices arranged in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of shelves 80 arranged in the height direction. Specifically, a first shelf is fixedly mounted directly above the heat preservation device 30 and the refrigeration device 50 through a support plate or a support rod 60, and a second shelf is further fixedly mounted above the first shelf through a support plate. The top surface of each supporter can be as required put suitable equipment, for example the upper surface of the first supporter in the figure can be put heating device, storage device and crowded sauce bottle 70 etc.. The lower surface of each supporter can hang the food of all kinds of instruments and normal atmospheric temperature storage, and the lower surface of the second supporter in for example the figure is provided with a plurality of hanging storage device 90. In addition, each supporter can be used as the crosspiece that sets up the socket, is provided with a plurality of sockets 81 on the second supporter in the drawing for example to the power cord can be hung directly from the roof and be connected to the processing station, all sets up operation platform with the convenience at two longitudinal sides at the processing station.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the food processing station of fig. 1 described above. As can be seen in connection with fig. 1 and 2, the food processing station is provided with operating platforms at both sides in the longitudinal direction for the preparation of food by the operator, for the operator to perform operations such as ingredient preparation, food packaging, etc. Wherein, the right side in fig. 2 is a fixed operation platform, and the left side in fig. 2 is a movable operation platform. The fixed operation platform is formed by jointly splicing fixed table tops (namely top surfaces) of the main bodies of the processing device modules which are adjacently arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the movable operation platform is formed by jointly moving table tops which are in pivot connection with the fixed table tops of the processing device modules. Each of the processing device modules is provided with a locking mechanism to support and position the movable platform when the movable platform is rotated to a horizontal position. This will also be described in detail below.
In the prior art, food processing stations are usually mounted fixedly against the walls of buildings, so that only operating platforms situated on a single side in the longitudinal direction of the food processing station can be provided. In contrast, the food processing station of the present invention is not disposed against a wall, but leaves space on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the food processing station, while providing a fixed operating platform and a movable operating platform on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the food processing station, thereby allowing staff to be arranged on both sides of the processing station for food preparation to be used by the staff for preparing food at, for example, a meal peak, improving production efficiency. Meanwhile, during the non-dining peak period, the movable operating platform can rotate from the horizontal position to the vertical position and can be fixed, so that more space is reserved for a kitchen, and people can conveniently carry out activities such as dining room arrangement or cleaning.
Referring further to fig. 3, which is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 2, an example of a first type of processing device, namely frying device 10, is generally shown. As shown, the frying apparatus 10 includes a main body 11 extending in a vertical direction to a height for easy operation by a worker. The main body 11 is internally provided with components such as a heating device, a fryer, etc. The top deck of the main body 11 forms a fixed platform 13, and the movable platform 12 is pivotally connected to the fixed platform 13 in the longitudinal direction. The fixed platform 13 and the movable platform 12 serve as an operating platform for the operator to prepare the food product. The movable platform 12 is, for example, a flat plate, and is connected to the fixed platform on opposite sides by hinges so as to be movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position by operation.
For supporting and positioning the movable platform 12 in a horizontal position, the frying apparatus of fig. 3 is further provided with a locking mechanism 20. The locking mechanism 20 comprises a rotating structure, and the rotating structure comprises a vertical rod 21, a horizontal rod 22 and a support rod 23 which is connected with the vertical rod and the horizontal rod at two ends respectively, and the three components form a triangular frame together. The two ends of the support rod 23 may be respectively fixedly connected with the ends of the horizontal rod 22 and the vertical rod 21, or may be fixedly connected with the positions of the two apart from the ends by a certain distance.
A support 24 and a sleeve 25 are arranged on the side surface of the main body 11, wherein one end of the vertical rod 21 is rotatably supported on the support 24, and the other end of the vertical rod is rotatably sleeved in the sleeve 25, so as to allow the rotating structure to rotate by taking the vertical rod 21 as a rotating shaft. The sleeve 25 is shown in the figures as having approximately half the axial length of the vertical rod 21. Alternatively, the sleeve 25 may have a longer or shorter axial length, and may even be provided as a plurality of collars. Meanwhile, the sleeve may be provided as a tubular body having a closed circumference, or may have an opening in the circumferential direction. In other words, the sleeve may surround the entire circumference of the vertical rod, or may surround the vertical rod together with the side wall of the body 11. To this end, the sleeve has a broad meaning in the present invention, including various forms of construction capable of restricting rotation of the vertical rod about a substantially fixed axis.
The bottom surface of the movable platform 12 is provided with a clamping seat 26, the clamping seat 26 is a protruding block or protruding piece extending from the movable platform, the bottom surface of the clamping seat 26 is provided with a clamping groove, the position of the clamping groove corresponds to the preset rotating position of the horizontal rod, and the height of the clamping seat or the extending length of the clamping seat from the bottom surface of the movable platform is set to be clamped into the clamping groove when the horizontal rod 22 of the rotating structure rotates to be consistent with the direction of the clamping groove so as to fix the rotating structure. Advantageously, a matching structure such as a protruding rod 27 or a protrusion can be provided at the position of the horizontal rod 22 corresponding to the slot. In addition, an elastic piece can be arranged on the rotating structure or the clamping seat so as to provide better operation hand feeling.
When it is desired to position the movable platform 12 in a horizontal position by an operator to provide an operating platform, the operator first lifts the movable platform 12 from a vertical position to a substantially horizontal position and then rotates the rotating structure. When the horizontal bar 22 is rotated to be in the same direction as the direction of the slot of the support 26, the protruding bar 27 on the horizontal bar 22 falls into the slot. The movable platform 12 is then released and allowed to press under gravity onto the horizontal bar 22. To this end, the movable platform 12 is reliably supported by the rotating structure and can be used as an operating platform for the operator, while being kept in a horizontal position at all times because the rotating structure is locked by the cassette 26.
If it is desired to leave more space on one side of the movable platform, the movable platform can be moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position. To do this, the operator lifts the movable platform 12 to a height such that the cartridge 26 is clear of the horizontal bar 22 of the rotating structure, and then turns the rotating structure to a position abutting against the side of the main body 11. The operator then releases the movable platform and allows it to fall to a vertical position. Advantageously, the blocking 26 can be arranged to cooperate with, for example, a projecting structure provided on the vertical bar 21 or on the vertical bar, to lock the movable platform in the vertical position by means of a snap fit or the like in a suitable manner.
Alternatively, the various processing devices of the present invention may also be provided with other types of locking structures to allow the movable platform to rotate relative to the fixed platform and lock the rotational position thereof. For example, the locking structure may be replaced with a pneumatic rod. When the movable platform is required to be used for food processing, the movable platform is turned to a horizontal position with the same height as the fixed platform, and the air pressure rod falls into the locking position along with the movable platform, so that the position of the movable platform is fixed, and the movable platform can be used for food preparation operation. Similarly, when the space where the movable platform is located needs to be used, the movable platform is turned over to the position below the fixed platform through the unlocking air pressure rod, and therefore a larger moving space is reserved for workers. As another example, the pneumatic rod may be replaced with another unlockable locking mechanism, such as a linkage mechanism or the like.
Fig. 4 and 5 show the thermal insulation apparatus 30 of fig. 1, which is another example of a module of a processing apparatus according to the present invention. The heat preservation device is approximately square so as to be conveniently spliced with other processing devices. The thermal insulation device has a fixed platform 32 on one side in the longitudinal direction, a movable platform 33 on the other side, and a thermal insulation container region composed of a plurality of thermal insulation containers 35 between the fixed platform and the movable platform at the top. The stationary platform 32 is configured as a top or table of a thermal insulation device, and an open portion is formed in a central region of the stationary platform for disposing a thermal insulation container 35. The heat preservation container can be used for storing various foods needing to be stored in a protected way, such as cooked foods and the like.
The movable platform 33 of the thermal insulation device 30 is locked in its rotational position, in particular in its horizontal position when used as an operating platform, by means of a locking mechanism 40. The locking mechanism 40 may be of the same or similar construction as described above with respect to locking mechanism 20 and will not be described in detail herein.
The heating device is arranged in the heat preservation device to provide heat for the heat preservation container. The heat preservation device can also be provided with a drawer type heat preservation cabinet below the operating platform according to the requirement. As with the frying device, the bottom of the holding device may be provided with wheels and brake wheels to facilitate movement and positioning of the holding device.
Fig. 6 shows the refrigeration unit 50 of fig. 1, which is yet another example of a processing unit module according to the present invention. The cold storage device is similar in appearance to the frying device 10 and the warming device 30, and is generally square to facilitate assembly with other processing devices. The refrigerator 50 has a fixed platform 52 on one side in the longitudinal direction, a movable platform 53 on the other side, and a cold well region composed of a plurality of cold wells 55 between the fixed platform and the movable platform at the top. The fixed platform 52 is configured as a top or counter top of the refrigerator, and an open portion is formed at a central region of the fixed platform for providing a cold well.
The top of the cold well area is provided with a cover comprising opposing first and second cover doors 56 and 57, each of which is connected in a pivotable manner to the fixed platform in the transverse direction. The first cover door and the second cover door respectively comprise a plurality of cover plates 59 which are mutually and pivotally connected along the transverse direction, and when the first cover door and the second cover door are unfolded, each cover plate and the fixed platform are positioned on the same horizontal plane, so that a complete food processing operation platform is formed together.
And a refrigerating device or a heat preservation device is arranged in the refrigerating device to refrigerate the cold well. The refrigerating device can also be provided with a drawer type refrigerating structure below the operating platform according to requirements, and even can be provided with a pedal type garbage can as shown in the figure. In addition, the bottom of the refrigerating device is provided with a rotating wheel and a braking wheel, so that the refrigerating device can be conveniently moved and fixed in position.
The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles and spirit of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the described examples without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and that such changes are contemplated by the inventors and are within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.