EP2769365B1 - Automatic catering machine and method for operating it - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vending machine according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating a vending machine according to the features of the preamble of claim 13.

Vending machines can serve both as a food storage and as a food processor, d. H. the vending machines, after they have been fully or semi-automatically filled with food, can heat the food (by various methods such as microwave, convection heat, contact heat) and / or cool and / or even store and then issue to an operator / consumer.

From the DE 600 30 942 T2 a vending machine is known for dispensing hot foods. The vending machine comprises a housing which is divided into a cooled portion and a heated portion, which are separated from each other and communicate with each other. The refrigerated portion includes a storage unit configured to hold a plurality of foods, each of which is packaged in a respective sealed container. In addition, the cooled portion comprises receiving means for taking out each of a food from the storage unit by peripherally detecting the associated container, opening means for opening the container, and transfer means for taking out the food from the container. The heating section includes a heater, a magazine of stacked disposable containers, movable support means adapted to receive the food from the transfer means and transfer it to the heating section and introduce it into the heater and then the hot food to one of the containers conveying means for transferring the food into the associated container outside the housing and motorized drive means and control means coming from outside the housing Housing can be driven and which are provided for synchronously controlling the receiving means, the opening means, the transmission means, the movable support means and the conveying means according to a predetermined automatic cycle. The food consists of pre-cooked pizzas. The heater is an electric oven. The containers consist of trays. The magazine of disposable trays is located in a position below the electric oven and includes a movable contrast means which cooperates with the support means for depositing the hot pizza on the top tray within the machine. A support base carries a stack of disposable trays and may be raised to position the tip of the stack of disposable trays immediately below the movable contrast means. The conveying means includes a sliding partition assembly which is movable with alternately rectilinear movement over the top of the magazine of the stacked trays, in a position corresponding to an exit mouth of the casing, around the hot pizza supplied on the tray which is at the top of the magazine is to transfer to the exit port.

In the DE 297 21 628 U1 is beschreibieben a device for receiving a variety of recorded sound and image carriers. The device comprises a holding device for the individual cassettes, a cassette removal device that can be moved and controlled to the individual cassettes, an ejection device and a card and / or key-controlled preselecting and recording device. The ejection device is at the same time designed as a throw-in device for cassettes. The holding device consists of several, vertically stacked levels on the inner walls of a free-standing circular building arranged holding elements. The cassette removal device is arranged in the center of the building and has a transport unit which can be moved vertically on a running rail and transports each cassette from and to its intended location.

From the DE 34 12 899 A1 is an automatic feeder known. The food vending machine is provided with a magazine for a plurality of chilled or uncooled portioned foods, with a heating device, an output station, a transport device acting between the magazine and the heating device, and a selection station. The magazine is arranged in a supply cabinet, which is divided into at least one cooling compartment and at least one freezer compartment, wherein by means of the transport food trays between the refrigerated compartment and freezer compartment are interchangeable.

In the FR 2 681 217 A1 For example, a microwave oven and an automatic food dispenser are scrubbed with such a microwave oven. The interior of the stove is accessible via a tight-fitting door. The door has receiving means for receiving the products to be heated and is arranged between a first position in which the receiving means are to be equipped with the products to be heated, and a second position in which the receiving means with the products to be heated in the interior of the microwave oven are, movable. During the return to the first position, the receiving means interact with dispensing means. The device comprises a shelf storage for storing a plurality of food products and a slide, by means of which in each case a food product can be pushed out of the shelf storage. The slider is horizontally and vertically movable and enclosed by the shelf storage.

From the GB 2 267 700 A is a vending machine known for hot food. The vending machine includes a compartment for storing sealed food containers, a microwave oven and means for transporting a food container from a storage space into the microwave oven for heating the food in the food container before it is dispensed. To prevent bursting of the food container in the microwave oven, a sealing film is punctured by means of a heating element before the food container in Microwave oven is arranged. The heating of the heating element ensures that it remains sterile.

The invention is based on the object to provide an improved food vending machine and a method for its operation.

The object is achieved by an automatic vending machine with the features of claim 1 and a method for operating a vending machine with the features of claim 13.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a vending machine according to the invention, at least one piece of food can be stored, cooled and / or heated. The Veipflegungsautomat has a shelf storage for storage of a plurality of food products and a transport device by means of which at least one food product is removable from the shelf storage, wherein the transport device has a transport tool for detecting the food, which at least horizontally and vertically movable and at least a vertical Axle is rotatable and / or pivotable. The transport device is at least partially enclosed by the shelf storage. The food is transportable by means of the transport tool of the transport device to a plurality of stations in the vending machine, which are arranged above the shelf storage.

In a method according to the invention for operating this vending machine, at least one food item is removed from the shelf storage for storing a plurality of food products by means of the transport device, which is at least partially enclosed by the shelf storage, and transported to a plurality of stations in the vending machine, wherein the transport tool of the transport device at least moved horizontally and vertically and at least rotated about a vertical axis and / or is pivoted to a Storage position of the food to drive and the food to capture and transport.

In this way, by means of the transport tool, a food item desired by a consumer can be taken out of the shelf storage and transported to the stations for preparation and / or dispensing. The stations may have various facilities for the preparation, storage and / or dispensing of the food product to the consumer.

By transporting the food from the shelf storage to the plurality of stations by means of the transport tool, a fully automatic storage, preparation and / or output of the food product to the consumer is possible. Furthermore, this allows a so-called dynamic storage of food in the shelf warehouse, also referred to as chaotic storage. Ie. There are a variety of different food products to sort any storage positions in the shelf storage, with the respective food and their storage position in the shelf storage is clearly identify and store. With a corresponding selection of the food by the consumer this is by means of the transport tool which anfährt their storage position in the shelf warehouse to remove from the shelf storage and transport to the station in Veipflegungsautomaten.

The sorting of food in the shelf storage can be done, for example, manually or automatically or at least semi-automatically, in each case the food and their storage position in the shelf storage to identify and store. An automatic or semi-automatic sorting can be done, for example, by means of the transport tool, which automatically picks up the stored in the shelf storage Essware at a station of the vending machine and stores in the shelf warehouse.

By this dynamic or chaotic storage of food products in particular a misaddition of the shelf warehouse is prevented, as a sorting various Varieties of food is not required for the respective variety each firmly reserved storage positions. With such a fixed-location storage it could come with incorrectly sorted food products to the output of a wrong, not selected by the consumer food product. This is prevented by the dynamic or chaotic storage.

Furthermore, since an identification of the stored food products is required, a stock level monitoring is possible in a simple manner. This allows for a reduction of one or more types of food a timely refilling of the shelf storage, so that in a simple way an availability of the food can be optimized. In addition, a lot of the different food products have to be adapted to their respective needs, as there are no fixed storage places for different food products. Ie. There are different types of food, depending on their demand by consumers, store in different quantities, so that an existing storage space in the warehouse is optimal to use, whereby intervals between the refilling of the shelf warehouse can be extended and the shelf storage and thus the vending machine smaller can be trained.

Characterized in that the transport tool is rotatable and / or pivotable about at least a vertical axis, all by means of a movement control of the transport device stored in the shelf storage food products can be reached by the transport tool and removed from the shelf storage. An additional movement of the racking, including an additional drive of the rack warehouse and additionally its control would be required, is not necessary. Ie. The transport of the food products and thus their fully automatic preparation and output to the consumer are realized in a simple, cost-effective and space-saving manner.

In a further embodiment, however, the shelf storage may additionally be rotatably mounted. In this way, for example, a manual loading of the shelf storage is facilitated with food, for example, a side of the To open the automatic dispenser arranged flap and the rack warehouse is successively to equip. In this case, all storage bins can be achieved in a simple manner by a rotation of the rack warehouse. Furthermore, the automatic food dispenser can also have a drive for rotation of the shelf storage, so that the shelf storage is also to remove a respective food by a corresponding control of this drive to turn into a position in which to reach the food by the transport tool and from the shelf storage can be seen. Due to the rotatable shelf storage, the vending machine corresponds to a revolver punk.

In the method of operating the automatic vending machine, according to the particular embodiment of the vending machine, the transporting tool is rotated and / or pivoted at least about a vertical axis and / or the racking is rotated about a vertical axis of rotation to move to a storage position of the food by means of the transporting tool and the foodware capture and transport.

The drive or a plurality of drives of the transport device and / or the shelf storage can / can be designed, for example, each as an electric motor, in particular as a servo motor, or pneumatically or hydraulically and directly or via transmission, for example via belt or chain transmission or gear transmission with the transport device and / or be coupled to the shelf storage.

The shelf storage preferably has storage areas for food items in a plurality of levels arranged one above the other, with all storage spaces each forming a circle together on one level. Ie. the storage bins of the shelf storage are arranged in several rows, ie in several levels one above the other, and in several columns in a circle next to each other, so that the shelf storage has a circular floor plan. This is a very efficient and for the automatic transport of food from the shelf storage by means of the transport device particularly suitable arrangement of the food, as by turning or Pivoting the transport tool and / or by rotating the shelf storage and horizontal and vertical movements of the transport tool all stored in the shelf storage food products can be removed and removed from the shelf storage, the transport tool by moving the corresponding row and column of the shelf storage stored at the respective storage position Essware can take.

In such a design of the shelf storage, the transport device is at least partially enclosed by the shelf storage, as in the vertical central region of the shelf storage, d. H. in the region of an axis of rotation of the rack storage, sufficient space for arranging the transport device is available and can be reached by such an arrangement of the transport all stored in the shelf storage food products alone by appropriate movements of the transport device and removed from the shelf storage. In addition, by means of such a substantially central arrangement of the transport groping in the automatic vending machine, all stations of the vending machine to which the edible goods are to be prepared, intermediately stored and / or output to the consumer can be reached by means of the transporting tool.

In a non-inventive embodiment, the transport device is arranged on an outer side of the shelf storage. In this case, in addition to the transport device and the shelf storage to rotate automatically by means of a corresponding drive to reach by means of the transport tool all storage positions of the shelf storage. Alternatively, the transport tool is to move along an outer side of the shelf storage around the circumference of the shelf storage around. In this way, no rotational movement of the shelf storage is required. However, this would require an increased space requirement on an outer side of the rack storage to move the transport tool.

Preferably, a vertical linkage of the transport device on which the transport tool is arranged and along which it is vertical is movable, at least partially enclosed by the shelf storage that the linkage is arranged centrally or eccentrically in the shelf storage. A centric arrangement requires a larger space to rotate freely the transport tool, ie at least twice the length of a non-vertically extended transport tool. It is then to be moved by turning and by vertical movement to the respective storage position and by a horizontal movement is the respective food to pick up and remove from its storage position. However, this higher space requirement is irrelevant in a large warehouse with a large number of edibles on one level, since in this case increases a diameter of the storage levels to order all food can. As a result, sufficient space is available in the central area enclosed by the rack storage area.

To create the smallest possible Veipflegungsautomaten, which requires the smallest possible space, especially the smallest possible footprint and in which a smaller rack warehouse with fewer storage positions is sufficient, the eccentric arrangement of the linkage of the transport device is particularly useful, so that the linkage directly an inner edge of the shelf storage is disposed adjacent. In this way, a free space for the transport device inside the shelf storage is already sufficient, which corresponds to the length of the non-vertically extended transport tool or only slightly larger. Also in this arrangement, the transport tool in the shelf storage is freely rotatable or pivotable and vertically movable to approach a respective storage position. By horizontally moving the transport tool then the respective food product can be received and removed from the shelf storage.

Preferably, the food vending machine comprises a grill for at least partially preparing the food product, wherein the grill has at least one resistance wire heating device, in which one or more resistance wires are arranged uncovered. Ie. this is not a so-called quartz grill, in which the heating wires are enclosed by quartz glass and surrounded by gas. This design of the grill with at least one resistance wire heater allows radiation of heat radiation, in particular of infrared radiation, with a higher wavelength than in a quartz grill. The wavelength of the radiation in this grill with resistance wires, for example, about 2.8 microns to 3.8 microns, while it is at a quartz grill, about 1.1 microns. This higher wavelength allows the preparation of the food, ie its heating, even in the packaged state, as the longer-wave radiation penetrates the packaging and acts on the food. In addition, by means of a grill with resistance wires, which are arranged, for example flat and just on the grill and cover an area corresponding to an expansion of the food, a substantially directed radiation possible with a quartz grill, in which the radiation from the quartz glass tubes in all directions ,

Alternatively or additionally, the food vending machine may comprise further means for at least partially preparing the food, in particular a microwave.

Preferably, the vending machine comprises a perforating unit for introducing at least one hole into a package of the food product prior to its preparation. This perforating unit has, for example, one or more needle-like elements which are arranged in an upper region of the vending machine and oriented downwards, so that during lifting of the food by means of the transport tool from the shelf storage to perforate the package by an additional lifting in the direction of the perforating unit then slightly lower and transport for further processing. By this perforation is during heating of the food product allows escape of fluids, in particular steam, from the packaging and prevents destruction of the packaging by an excessive internal pressure. In this way, no complete opening of the packaging for the preparation of the food product is required so that it remains hygienically packed. Alternatively, however, the vending machine may also have an opening mechanism to open the packaging, if necessary to remove the food from the packaging for their preparation and to repackage the food. However, this would be associated with an increased effort.

Conveniently, a cooling device is arranged on an upper side of the shelf storage. By means of this cooling device, the food to cool and thereby store much longer. The arrangement of the cooling device on the upper side of the rack storage, the cooling is particularly efficient because cooled by the cooling means cooled air in the direction of the rack storage, whereby the rack warehouse is located in a cold air generated by the cooling device. The cooling device is designed and arranged such that the food products are transported by means of the transport device to the cooling device over from the shelf storage to the individual stations of Veipflegungsautomaten. However, in other embodiments of the vending machine, the cooling device may also be arranged at a different position, for example, it may be at least partially enclosed by the shelf storage or enclose the shelf storage at least partially, for example, laterally, or be arranged on an underside of the shelf storage.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the vending machine comprises at least one identification device for identifying the food product. This identification device is in a preferred embodiment, a reader for reading a transponder on the food or on their packaging. This transponder is for example a so-called RFID chip (Radio Frequency Identification).

In a further preferred embodiment, the identification device is an optical detection unit, for example a camera or a barcode reader. It is also possible to use a plurality of identification devices, for example, at any time to ensure a secure identification of the food. In this way, food products are processed by this vending machine, which in each case in different ways too are identified, ie, for example, have no barcode or no transponder.

As a result, the food product from Veipflegungsautomaten on the basis of the transponder or on the basis of a barcode on the packaging or on the package itself or their printing in a simple manner identifiable and treatable accordingly, d. H. for example, prepared with a temperature and cooking time in the grill and / or microwave matched to the food in question and / or can be cooled and / or stored at a suitably tuned temperature. Furthermore, a transponder information or the printing of the packaging, for example the barcode, may further include, for example, a date of expiry of the food product, so that a flawless state of the food product to be dispensed to the consumer is ensured at all times.

Furthermore, by using a plurality of identification devices configured as cameras at different positions in the automatic vending machine, it is possible, for example, to control and monitor an optimal positioning of the food product in the rack storage and / or on the transport tool and / or a respective state of the food product. For example, by means of a camera in the area of the grill and / or the microwave, a current state of the food can be assessed. By means of a camera in the rack storage their storage is monitored and their quality condition can be assessed.

Preferably, the food vending machine comprises at least one touch-sensitive display unit. This enables communication between the consumer and the vending machine in a manner that is simple and comfortable for the consumer. By means of the touch-sensitive display unit, the food can be selected by the consumer, for example, and the consumer can display a remaining time until completion and dispensing of the food product from the vending machine. Furthermore, the food vending machine is also programmable via this touch-sensitive display unit, for example, ie, it is possible to predefine food items to be processed, for example Storage times and / or temperatures and preparation times and / or temperatures assignable.

In an advantageous embodiment, the vending machine preferably has at least one payment unit which allows the consumer to pay for the food. These are for example a cash payment unit and / or a payment unit for money and / or credit cards.

In a further embodiment, the vending machine has at least one wired and / or wireless communication unit. This communication unit allows, for example, a check of a respective means of payment, for example the consumer's money or credit card, in order to ensure its ability to pay. Furthermore, by means of such a communication unit, for example, a remote data transmission for maintenance and control of the vending machine allows, so that, for example, disturbances are immediately recognizable and possibly can be repaired by remote data transmission. Also, in this way, for example, a current level of the reservoir can be checked, so that a timely refilling is possible.

In addition, via this communication unit, for example, a remote order of food via a remote data transmission allows, so that the consumer can already choose from a distance, for example from home, a food and order, which is then prepare the vending machine, while the consumer moved to the vending machine to pick up the food. In this way, long waiting times for the consumer at the vending machine during the preparation of his ordered food goods are prevented. For example, the consumer can also be informed via this communication unit when his food product is ready and ready for dispensing, so that he can pick it up in good time. If a collection of the food by the consumer is delayed, it can be stored in one of the stations of the vending machine and kept warm.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 2

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Inneren eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 3

schematisch eine Seitenansicht eines Inneren eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 4

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung von inneren Bauteilen eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 5

schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung von inneren Bauteilen eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 6

schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 7

schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung von inneren Bauteilen eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 8

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Lagerelementes eines Regallagers eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 9

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Transportwerkzeugs eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 10

schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung eines Transportwerkzeugs eines Verpflegungsautomaten,

Figur 11

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung einer TransportVorrichtung eines Verpflegungsautomaten und

Figur 12

schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung einer Transportvorrichtung eines Verpflegungsautomaten.

Show:

FIG. 1

schematically a perspective view of a vending machine,

FIG. 2

schematically a perspective view of an interior of a vending machine,

FIG. 3

schematically a side view of an interior of a vending machine,

FIG. 4

1 is a perspective view of internal components of a vending machine,

FIG. 5

1 is a schematic perspective view of inner components of a vending machine;

FIG. 6

schematically another perspective view of a vending machine,

FIG. 7

1 is a schematic perspective view of inner components of a vending machine;

FIG. 8

1 is a perspective view of a bearing element of a shelf storage of a vending machine,

FIG. 9

1 schematically a perspective view of a transport tool of a vending machine,

FIG. 10

1 schematically another perspective view of a transport tool of a vending machine,

FIG. 11

schematically a perspective view of a transport device of a vending machine and

FIG. 12

schematically another perspective view of a transport device of a vending machine.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

The FIGS. 1 to 12 show representations of an advantageous embodiment of a vending machine 1 or of components or component groups of the vending machine 1 in different views.

In such a food vending machine 1 food 2 are storable, coolable and heatable. For storage of the food products 2, the automatic food dispenser 1 a shelf storage 3, from which by means of a transport device 4 each a food product 2 removable and transportable to one or more in the example shown here four stations S1, S2, S3, S4 in the vending machine 1. The stations S1, S2, S3, S4 are, as in FIG. 1 shown, arranged above the shelf storage 3, wherein the catering machine 1 has a stations S1, S2, S3, S4 surrounding outer panel, which is not shown here for reasons of clarity.

The embodiment of the automatic vending machine 1 shown here comprises a grill 5 at a first station S 1 and a microwave 6 at a second station S 2, by means of which the respective food item 2 is to be heated, ie the food 2 is to be prepared by means of the microwave 6 and / or by means of the grill 5 or the preparation is at least completed by means of the microwave 6 and / or by means of the grill 5. Under the well-known and used term microwave 6 is a Mikrowellenabstrahlvorrichtung for heating food 2 to understand.

Here are the preparation of the food 2, depending on the type of food product 2 and their preparation requirements, for example, only use the microwave 6 or only the grill 5 or a combination of the microwave 6 and the grill 5, in which case an order of use of the type of food product 2 and their preparation requirements is dependent.

At a third station S3 of the automatic vending machine 1, food products 2 are to be temporarily stored before and / or after their preparation and / or in an intermediate section during the preparation. In order to be able to temporarily store the food products 2 after their preparation in this third station S3, for example if a consumer to whom the respective food item 2 is to be dispensed is not yet ready at the automatic vending machine 1 in order to receive the food item 2, the latter has third station S3 expediently on a not shown here keeping warming. A fourth station S4 of the vending machine 1 is designed for dispensing the foodware 2 to the consumer.

It can, as in the FIGS. 1 and 2 represented, even at the same time in different or in all stations S1, S2, S3, S4 food 2, ie it is, for example, by means of the transport device 4 to transport a food 2 from one of the stations S1, S2, S3, S4 in another For example, they continue to prepare, then to transport another food product 2 from the shelf storage 3 in one of the stations S1, S2, S3, S4, for example, to begin their preparation and then the finished first food set 2 at the fourth station S4 to spend the consumer or intermediately store in the third station S3. Ie. it is not required to wait until a food item 2 is finished and dispensed to the consumer, and only then to retrieve a following food item 2 from the shelf warehouse 3. The simultaneous processing of several food products 2 in different stations S1, S2, S3, S4 in this way allows a very fast operation of consumer wishes even with a larger number of consumers.

Furthermore, in a non-illustrated embodiment, the automatic food dispenser 1 can also have additional transport means for transporting the food products 2 from one of the stations S1, S2, S3, S4 to one or more of the other stations S1, S2, S3, S4, so that the Essware 2 only by means of the transport device 4 to remove from the shelf storage 3 and to transport this, for example, designed as a turntable transport means would be on this. Such a turntable may also have openings or be formed as a plurality of circularly arranged forks, to allow, for example, in the grill 5 and irradiation of the food product 2 from below.

The in the FIGS. 4 and 5 and 11 and 12 in more detail Transportbefuchtung 4, by means of which the food products 2 are removable from the shelf storage 3 and to the stations S1, S2, S3, S4 to transport, has a transport tool 7 for detecting the food product 2, which horizontally and vertically movable is. The transport tool 7, which in the Figures 9 and 10 is shown in more detail, is formed in the example shown here as a kind of fork with two prongs 7.1 and two lateral supports 7.2 for safe reception and safe transport of the food products 2.

For vertical movement of the transport tool 7 this is arranged by means of a horizontal bracket 8 on a vertical linkage 9 of the transport device 4. This vertical linkage 9 is formed in the example shown here from two vertical rods, on which the horizontal support 8 of the transport tool 7 can slide vertically.

By means of a vertical threaded rod 10 which is coupled at one end to a first electric motor 11, the transport tool 7 is to raise and lower vertically, depending on the direction of rotation of the vertical threaded rod 10. In this case, a transmission of a rotational movement of the first electric motor 11 driven vertical threaded rod 10th via the thread on the horizontal support 8 of the transport tool 7, wherein the rotational movement of the vertical threaded rod 10 is converted into a vertical movement of the transport tool 7.

The first electric motor 11, which is coupled directly to the vertical threaded rod 10 in the example shown here, is preferably designed as a servo motor or stepper motor, so that an exact vertical positioning of the transport tool 7 is made possible by a corresponding control of the first electric motor 11. In further, not shown embodiments, the first electric motor 11 may also be coupled via a transmission, for example via a belt or chain drive, or via a gear transmission with the vertical threaded rod 10. Furthermore, other types of drive for vertical movement of the transport tool 7 are possible, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic.

For horizontal movement of the transport tool 7, this is coupled to a horizontal threaded rod 12, which is coupled at one end to a second electric motor 13. By rotating the horizontal threaded rod 12, the transport tool 7 is to move horizontally along its horizontal support 8, wherein here the rotational movement of the horizontal threaded rod 12 is transmitted via the thread on the transport tool 7. By the sliding along the transport tool 7 on the horizontal support 8 during the horizontal movement, the transport tool 7, for example, also perform curved movements in the vertical direction, ie it is tiltable, for example, in the vertical direction, according to a predetermined by the horizontal support 8 guide path, so that the tines 7.1 under the foodware 2 too Place and as far as to push horizontally under the food 2, until the food 2 safely rests on the transport tool 7

Again, analogously to the vertical threaded rod 10, the second electric motor 13, which is coupled in the example shown here directly to the horizontal threaded rod 12, preferably designed as a servo motor or stepper motor, so that by an appropriate control of the second electric motor 13 an exact horizontal Positioning of the transport tool 7 is possible to detect the respective food product 2, to remove from the shelf storage 3, to position exactly on the respective station S1, S2, S3, S4 and remove it from the stations S1, S2, S3, S4 again to be able to. In further, not shown embodiments, this second electric motor 13 may be coupled via a transmission, for example via a belt or chain drive, or via a gear transmission with the horizontal threaded rod 12. Furthermore, other types of drive for horizontal movement of the transport tool 7 are also possible here, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic.

The shelf storage 3 is formed in the example shown here from individual bearing elements 14 which are arranged one above the other in several levels, wherein in each plane a plurality of the bearing elements 14 are arranged in a circle. Furthermore, in the example shown here, two such bearing elements 14 are also arranged at the third station S3 of the automatic vending machine 1, in order to temporarily store food items 2 and to keep them warm. Such a bearing element 14 is in FIG. 8 shown in more detail.

The bearing elements 14 have in this example two spring-mounted stopper 15 in order to secure the respective food product 2 in the bearing element 14 against slipping out, in particular in the direction of a central region of the rack storage 3. To remove the food 2 from one of these bearing elements 14 by means of the transport tool 7, the tines 7.1 of the transport tool 7 to place on these stoppers 15, ie between the Stopper 15 and the food 2 insert, so that the food 2 by means of the transport tool 7 can be received and removed from the respective bearing element 14.

The arrangement of the bearing elements 14 to form the shelf storage 3 are, for example, in the Figures 2 and 4 to 6 shown in more detail, with not all bearing elements 14 are shown here for reasons of clarity. Due to the circular arrangement of the bearing elements 14, these are supported laterally against each other. The stacked bearing elements 14 are formed such that they engage at least in a form-fitting manner, ie the bearing elements 14 each have recesses 14.2 on a lower side and recesses 14.2 on an upper side so that with stacked bearing elements 14 pins 14.1 of an upper bearing element 14 in recesses 14.2 an underlying bearing element 14 engage. In this way, a stable rack storage 3 in the automatic vending machine 1 is formed by the bearing elements 14. Such storage elements 14 can be used in differently designed automatic catering machines 1, which in particular have a different available space height for the shelf storage 3, since the shelf storage 3 is to be formed in the respective automatic vending machine 1 in a simple manner by means of the bearing elements 14, by a corresponding stacking and juxtaposition of the bearing elements 14. A stack height is adaptable to an available space height. In other embodiments, the bearing elements 14, for example, alternatively or additionally, also be positively and / or materially secured to each other or the shelf storage 3 may be formed in other ways.

As a result of the circular arrangement of the bearing elements 14, a free space is formed in the middle region of the rack storage 3, in which the transport device 4 is arranged, ie it is laterally enclosed by the rack storage 3 and projects upwards in the direction of the stations S1, S2, S3, S4, from the shelf storage 3 out to transport the food products 2 from the shelf storage 3 to the stations S1, S2, S3, S4. It is in the example shown here to this Free space in the central region of the rack storage 3 to use optimal, the vertical linkage 9 of the transport device 4 eccentrically arranged in this central region.

The vertical linkage 9 and the vertical threaded rod 10 are rotatably mounted, wherein they are rotatable about an axis A, which is positioned centrally in this central region of the racking 3, as in FIG. 4 shown. As a result, the transporting tool 7 is rotatable or pivotable about this axis A or about a virtual vertical extension of this axis A, so that all storage positions of the shelf storage 3 can be reached by means of the transporting tool 7 by this turning or pivoting as well as by vertical and horizontal movements. The vertical linkage 9 is coupled together with the vertical threaded rod 10 by means of a belt or chain drive 16 with a third electric motor 17, which is mounted in an upper portion of the vending machine 1. By means of the third electric motor 17 is the vertical linkage 9 together with the vertical threaded rod 10 thereby to move on a horizontal circular path in the central region of the rack storage 3 in the immediate vicinity of inner sides of the bearing elements 14, wherein it orbits the axis of rotation A and its virtual vertical extension ,

Due to the eccentric arrangement of the vertical linkage 9 with the vertical threaded rod 10 in the central region of the racking 3, this moves during the rotational movements near an inner edge of the racking 3, ie near the bearing elements 14. Thus, the space in the central region of the racking 3 is almost complete used for moving the transport tool 7, wherein a diameter of the central region must be only slightly larger than a length of not vertically extended transport tool 7. In this way, the smallest possible vertical extent of the vending machine 1 is achieved, creating a space for its installation and a required floor space are relatively small.

In other embodiments, not shown here, however, the vertical linkage 9 and the vertical threaded rod 10 may also be arranged substantially centrally in the middle region of the racking 3. This then requires a larger clearance, the diameter then has to be approximately twice the length of the non-vertically extended transport tool 7 in order to pivot it freely. However, if, for example, a rack storage 3 with a larger number of food products 2 is provided on one level anyway, then the diameter of the rack storage 3 and the inside diameter of the central area of the storage unit 2 remain the same, and the storage elements 14 required for this Shelf bearings 3, so that even for a centric arrangement of the vertical rod 9 and the vertical threaded rod 10 of the transport device 4 is a sufficient space available.

In a further embodiment, not shown here, the transport device 4 may also be arranged on an outer side of the rack storage 3. In this case, the shelf storage 3 is then expediently also to be rotated automatically, so that in this embodiment too an access of the transporting tool 7 to all the food products 2 stored in the shelf storage 3 is made possible. Alternatively, the transport tool 7 would be to pivot on an outer side of the rack storage 3 along the rack storage 3 around, but this would be much more complex to implement and would require a larger footprint for the vending machine 1.

Also in the example shown here, the shelf storage 3 is rotatable. However, it is not automatically rotatable, ie it is not coupled to a drive unit, but merely rotatably supported, as in FIG. 7 shown in more detail. The bearing units 14 are arranged on a round platform 18, which has rollers 19 on a lower side. This rotatable mounting of the shelf storage 3 allows easy manual filling of the shelf storage 3 with food products 2 via a laterally formed on the food vending machine 1 and with a flap 20 closed opening in a housing 21 of the automatic vending machine. 1

For manual filling, this flap 20 is open, as in the FIGS. 1 and 6 shown, and to rotate the rack 3 manually to fill all storage positions of the shelf storage 3 with food 2 can. During a normal automatic operation of the vending machine 1, the shelf storage 3 is to be blocked in a fixed position, so that a rotation and thereby a change in position of the stored in the rack 3 food products 2 are prevented. For this purpose, the flap 20, as in FIG. 1 illustrated, on an inner side of the shelf storage 3 facing formation 22, which is arranged with the flap 20 in a free space between two stacks of the bearing elements 14 and thereby blocks rotation of the rack 3.

As a result of this design of the shelf storage 3, each stored food item 2 is assigned a fixed storage position, which is uniquely identifiable and therefore must be controlled by the transport tool 7 in order to remove the respective food item 2. As a result, a dynamic storage in the vending machine 1 is possible, also referred to as chaotic storage. Ie. There are a variety of different food products 2 sorted at any storage positions in the shelf storage 3, with the respective foodware 2 and their storage position in the shelf storage 3 is clearly identified and store. With a corresponding selection of the food product 2 by the consumer, this is to be removed from the shelf storage 3 by means of the transport tool 7, which starts its position in the shelf storage 3 and to transport to the respective station S1, S2, S3, S4 in the vending machine 1.

The sorting of the food products 2 in the rack storage 3 can be done manually, for example, as already described, or automatically, in each case the food product 2 and their storage position in the shelf storage 3 to identify and store. An automatic sorting can be done for example by means of the transport tool 7, which is to be stored in the rack 3 Essware 2 receives, for example, at the fourth station S4 or at another accessible location of the vending machine 1 and automatically stored in the shelf storage 3.

By means of this dynamic or chaotic storage of the food products 2, erroneous loading of the shelf storage 3 is prevented in particular since a sorting of different types of food products 2 into storage positions which are fixedly predetermined for the respective type is not required. With such a fixed-location storage, mis-sorted food products 2 could result in the issue of a wrong food product 2 not selected by the consumer. This is prevented by the dynamic or chaotic storage.

Furthermore, since an identification of the stored food products 2 is required, a stock level monitoring is possible in a simple manner. This allows for a reduction of one or more types of food products 2 a timely refilling of the shelf storage 3, so that in a simple way an availability of the food products 2 can be optimized. In addition, a lot of the different food products 2 to adapt to their respective demand, since no fixed storage positions for different types of food products 2 are reserved, but the food products 2 are sortable in all available storage bins. Ie. There are different types of food products 2, depending on their demand by consumers, store in different quantities, so that a shelf in the storage 3 existing storage space is optimal to use, whereby intervals between the refilling of the rack 3 are extendable and the rack 3 and thereby also the catering machine 1 is to be made smaller.

The arranged at the first station S1 of the vending machine 1 grill 5 for preparing the food products 2 advantageously has at least one resistance wire heating device in which one or more resistance wires are arranged unobstructed. Ie. This is not a so-called quartz grill, in which the heating wires are surrounded by quartz glass and surrounded by gas.

The formation of the grill 5 by means of the resistance wire heater allows radiation of heat radiation, in particular of infrared radiation, with a higher wavelength than in a quartz grill. The wavelength of the radiation is in this grill 5 with exposed resistance wires, for example, about 2.8 microns to 3.8 microns, while it is about 1.1 microns in a quartz grill. This higher wavelength allows the preparation of the food product 2, d. H. their heating in the packaged state, since the longer-wave radiation penetrates the packaging and acts on the food 2. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the food products 2 are each packaged in edible packaging and remain so until they are dispensed to the consumer, i. H. they are not unpacked for preparation.

In addition, by means of a grill 5 with resistance wires, which are arranged for example flat and just on the grill 5 and cover an area which corresponds to an expansion of the food 2, a substantially directed radiation possible with a quartz grill, wherein the radiation from the quartz glass tubes in all directions are done. The resistance wire heating device or a plurality of these is / are for example arranged and designed such that irradiation of the food product 2 from below and / or from above and / or laterally is possible. The grill 5 may also be oven-shaped, d. H. have a partially or completely closed or closable cooking space.

Furthermore, the automatic catering machine 1 preferably comprises a perforation unit, not shown here, for introducing at least one hole or a plurality of holes into the packaging of the food product 2 prior to its preparation. This perforating unit has, for example, one or more needle-like elements, which are arranged in an upper region of the automatic vending machine 1 and oriented downwards, so that during a lifting of the food product 2 by means of the transport tool 7 from the Shelf storage 3, the packaging is to be perforated by an additional lifting in the direction of the perforating, then slightly lower and is to be transported to one of the stations S1, S2, S3, S4 for further processing.

By this perforation is during heating of the food product 2 allows escape of fluids, in particular steam, from the packaging and prevents destruction of the packaging by an excessive internal pressure. In this way, no complete opening of the packaging for the preparation of the food product 2 is required so that it remains hygienically packed. Alternatively, however, the automatic food dispenser 1 may also have an opening mechanism for opening the package and, if necessary, optionally for removing the food product 2 from the package for its preparation and repacking the food product 2. However, this would be associated with an increased effort.

Conveniently, a cooling device, not shown here, is arranged on an upper side of the shelf storage 3. By means of this cooling device, the food products 2 to cool and thereby store much longer. Due to the arrangement of the cooling device on the upper side of the rack storage 3, the cooling is particularly efficient because cooled by the cooling means cooled air in the direction of the rack 3, so that the shelf 3 in a generated by the cooling device and the housing 21 of the automatic vending machine 1 or a additional enclosure of the shelf storage 3 enclosed cold air lake is arranged.

The cooling device is designed and arranged in an arrangement on the upper side of the shelf storage 3 such that the food products 2 are to be transported by means of the transport device 4 past the cooling device from the shelf storage 3 to the individual stations S1, S2, S3, S4 of the automatic vending machine 1 ie, for example, circular with an opening in the middle, through which the transport device 4 leads and through which the food products 2 by means of the transport tool 7 from the shelf storage 3 out to are transporting. In other embodiments of the automatic vending machine 1, however, the cooling device may also be arranged at a different position, for example, it may be at least partially enclosed by the rack storage 3 or at least partially surround the rack storage 3, for example laterally, or be arranged on an underside of the rack storage 3.

To identify the food products 2, the automatic food dispenser 1 comprises at least one identification device 23. In the embodiment shown here, this identification device 23 is, for example, a bar code reader which is arranged on the transport tool 7 and reads out a bar code printed on the packaging of the food product 2. This is useful, in particular, in automatic loading of the shelf storage 3 with food products 2 by means of the transport tool 7, since the foodware 2 is to be identified via the barcode reader and its identity stored together with the storage position in which the food item 2 is placed by the transport tool 7 can be. In a selection of the food product 2 by the consumer, this is then removed by starting the corresponding storage position by means of the transport tool 7 again from the shelf storage 3.

But even with a manual assembly of the shelf storage 3, the arranged on the transport tool 7 identification device 23 makes sense. For example, after filling the rack storage 3 and its locking by means of the side flap 20, all storage positions or at least all newly filled storage positions by means of the transport tool 7 to approach and by means of the bar code reader by reading the printed on the packaging bar codes the stored food products 2 clearly identify and store their storage position. The storage position is to be determined by the orientation of the transport tool 7 during the detection of the barcode of the respective food product 2. In this way, a fast and efficient manual assembly of the shelf storage 3 is to be realized, wherein the food products 2 and their storage position are not complex to capture and store manually during sorting.

As an alternative to the barcode reader, the identification device 23 may also be designed as a reading device for reading out a transponder on the foodware 2 or on its packaging. This transponder is for example a so-called RFID chip (Radio Frequency Identification).

In a further preferred embodiment, the identification device 23 is another optical detection unit, for example a camera. It is also possible to use a plurality of identification projections 23 in order to ensure, for example, at all times a reliable identification of the food products 2. In this way, food vending machines 2, which can be identified in different ways in each case, can also be processed by this vending machine 1, ie. H. For example, have no barcode or no transponder.

As a result, the respective food item 2 can be easily identified and appropriately handled by the automatic vending machine 1 on the basis of the transponder or by means of a barcode on the packaging or on the basis of the packaging itself or its printing, ie. H. For example, with a matched to the food in question 2 temperature and cooking time in the grill 5 and / or the microwave 6 prepared and / or can be cooled and / or stored with a correspondingly tuned temperature.

Furthermore, a transponder information or the printing of the packaging, for example the barcode, may further include, for example, a expiration date of the respective food item 2, so that a perfect condition of the food item 2 to be dispensed to the consumer is ensured at all times. For identification by means of a camera, for example, a second, much larger barcode can be printed on the packaging, while a standard barcode is further printed as information for a payment system on the packaging.

Furthermore, by using a plurality of identification devices 23 embodied as cameras at different positions in the automatic vending machine 1, an optimal positioning of the respective foodware 2 in the rack storage 3 and / or on the transporting tool 7 and / or in the stations S1, S2, S3, S4 and / or a respective state of the food product 2 controllable and monitorable. For example, by means of a camera in the region of the grill 5 and / or the microwave 6, a current state of the foodware 2 can be assessed. By means of a camera in the rack warehouse 3 whose storage can be monitored and their quality condition can be assessed.

Preferably, the catering machine 1 comprises at least one touch-sensitive display unit, not shown here in detail, d. H. For example, a so-called touchscreen display. This enables communication between the consumer and the food vending machine 1 in a manner that is simple and comfortable for the consumer. By means of the touch-sensitive display unit, for example, the consumer selects the food product 2 and the vending machine 1 gives the consumer a remaining time until completion and dispensing of the food product 2 displayable. Furthermore, the catering machine 1 is also programmable via this touch-sensitive display unit, for example, d. H. For example, food products 2 to be processed can be predetermined and assigned to these storage times and / or temperatures as well as preparation times and / or temperatures.

In an advantageous embodiment, the automatic food dispenser 1 preferably has at least one payment unit which allows the consumer to pay for the food product 2. These are for example a cash payment unit and / or a payment unit for money and / or credit cards.

Furthermore, the automatic food dispenser 1 advantageously has at least one wired and / or wireless communication unit. This communication unit allows, for example, a check of a respective means of payment, for example the consumer's money or credit card to ensure its solvency. Furthermore, by means of such a communication unit, for example, a remote data transmission for maintenance and control of the automatic vending machine 1 is made possible, so that, for example, disturbances are immediately recognizable and possibly can be remedied by remote data transmission. Also, in this way, for example, a current level of the shelf storage 3 can be checked, so that a timely refilling is possible.

In addition, via this communication unit, for example, a remote order of food products 2 via a remote data transmission allows, so that the consumer can already choose from a distance, for example from home, a food product 2 and order, which is then prepare from the vending machine 1, while the consumer moves to the vending machine 1 to pick up the edible 2. In this way, long waiting times for the consumer at the vending machine 1 during the preparation of his ordered foodware 2 are prevented. For example, the consumer can also be informed via this communication unit when his food product 2 is ready and ready for dispensing, so that he can pick it up in good time. If a pickup of the food product 2 by the consumer is delayed, it will be temporarily stored in the third station S3 and kept warm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Board Machine

2

comestible

3

bay warehouse

4

transport device

5

grill

6

microwave

7

transport tool

7.1

prong

7.2

lateral support

8th

horizontal bracket

9

vertical linkage

10

vertical threaded rod

11

first electric motor

12

horizontal threaded rod

13

second electric motor

14

bearing element

14.1

spigot

14.2

deepening

15

stopper

16

Belt or chain transmission

17

third electric motor

18

platform

19

role

20

flap

21

casing

22

formation

23

identification device

A

axis

S1

first stop

S2

second station

S3

third station

S4

fourth station

Claims (14)

1. A vending machine (1) in which at least one food product (2) is storable, coolable and/or heatable, comprising a rack storage compartment (3) adapted to store a plurality of food products (2) and a transport device (4) via which at least one food product (2) is respectively removable from the rack storage compartment (3), the transport device (4) having a transport tool (7) for gripping the food product (2) and, wherein the transport tool (7) is movable at least horizontally and vertically and is rotatable and/or pivotable at least around a vertical axis (A), the transport device (4) being at least partially surrounded by the rack storage compartment (3), and the food product (2) being transportable with the aid of the transport tool (7) of the transport device (4) to a plurality of stations (S1, S2, S3, S4) arranged in the vending machine (1), the plurality of stations (S1, S2, S3, S4) being arranged above the rack storage compartment (3).
2. The vending machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized that the rack storage compartment (3) is rotatably supported.
3. The vending machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the rack storage compartment (3) has storage locations for food products (2) on a plurality of levels disposed above each other, the storage locations on each level together forming a circle.
4. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vertical linkage (9) of the transport device (4), on which the transport tool (7) is disposed directly or via a horizontal bracket (8) and along which it is movable vertically, is at least partially surrounded by the rack storage compartment (3) such that the vertical linkage (9) is disposed centrically or eccentrically in the rack storage compartment (3).
5. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a grill (5) for at least partially preparing the food product (2), the grill (5) having at least one resistance wire heating device, in which one or more resistance wires are disposed in an unenclosed manner.
6. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a perforation unit for introducing at least one hole into a packaging of the food product (2) prior to the preparation thereof.
7. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cooling device arranged on an upper side of the rack storage compartment (3).
8. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one identification device (23) for identifying the food product (2).
9. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one camera.
10. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one touch-sensitive display unit.
11. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one payment unit.
12. The vending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one wired and/or wireless communication unit.
13. A method for operating a vending machine (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein from a rack storage compartment (3) adapted to store a plurality of food products (2) via a transport device (4), which is at least partially surrounded by the rack storage compartment (3), at least one food product (2) is removed and transported to a plurality of stations (S1, S2, S3, S4) in the vending machine (1), which are disposed above the rack storage compartment (3), the transport tool (7) of the transport device (4) being moved at least horizontally and vertically and rotated and/or pivoted at least around a vertical axis (A) for the purpose of approaching a storage position of the food product (2) and gripping and transporting the food product (2).
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the rack storage compartment (3) is rotated around a vertical rotation axis to approach a storage position of the food product (2) by means of the transport tool (7) and to grip and transport the food product (2).

Images