FR2678496A1 - Automatic dispenser of hot cooked dishes using a microwave oven - Google Patents

Abstract

Automatic dispenser of cooked dishes. It comprises modular cabinets (9) which are fixed in the top part of the framework of the chassis of the dispenser, the said cabinets (9) are provided with tabs (12, 13) acting as a support which can be fitted to columns (11) which can be adjusted in terms of dimensions in order to receive the consumable products in the median part of the framework of the chassis (16) of the dispenser, several hoppers arranged under the columns (11) collect the products and direct them above a plurality of access hatches (19, 20) to a microwave oven (21, 22); the said microwave oven (21, 22) is provided with an ejection drawer (23, 24) which ejects the consumable product on to a conveyor (25) which conveys the product in front of an access window (19, 20) intended for the consumer, the lower part of the framework of the chassis (26) of the dispenser includes a programmable robot (automatic unit) (27). Automatic dispenser, particularly for food products.

Description

 The invention relates to an automatic distributor of ready meals. In a preferred embodiment, the vending machine is specific for hot cooked dishes using a microwave oven.

The state of the art can be defined by the following patents
- FR-A-2.597.239: "The invention relates to a set of distribution of cooked dishes, stored at low temperature, under vacuum, sterilized or other, and served hot in a fully automated manner. It is composed of a electronic part programmable by its keyboard which is the brain of the distributor, a refrigerated storage compartment for cooked meals, an automatic conveyor device for a group of microwave ovens for reheating a group refrigerator of a cold box. The assembly according to the invention is particularly intended for the automatic distribution of hot cooked dishes. "
This device clearly defines the state of the art. It has the main disadvantage of making a battery of microwave ovens available to the public. Microwave ovens must meet very strict safety conditions. However, making microwave ovens available to the public poses problems. Thus, these ovens may be subject to acts of vandalism or improper use.

- FR-A-2.611.865: "The present invention relates to an automatic device making it possible to serve in a hot or cold state, a dish contained in an airtight can. This device comprises several storage cabinets, several microwave ovens, a system for routing dishes from stock to ovens, as well as an order payment system The distributor can offer several choices in his dishes, but it is above all characterized in that it serves hermetically sealed tins instead of dishes open, hence a new storage architecture. "
- FR-A-2.556.859: "The invention relates to a type of automatic distributor of hot and cold meals with electronic control. It comprises four essential elements which are a power compartment grouping together the electronics which directs the functions and the group motor of the fridge; a distribution compartment grouping together two microwave ovens which can also operate at a cold outlet and which act as a pass-plate; a refrigerated compartment grouping the double rows of shelves of stored dishes; a device for gripping dishes consisting of '' A shovel which moves between the two rows of shelves of dishes. The invention will be advantageously used to obtain a distributor of hot and cold meals, making it possible to contain a large number of dishes prepared and stored in a small footprint, ensuring profitability machine. "
- FR-A-2.458.851: "The invention relates to a distributor of food products at a controlled temperature, making it possible to store foodstuffs which would otherwise be perishable. These foodstuffs are heated by a microwave oven at the time of their The invention relates to the on-site consumption industry. "
The automatic distributor of hot cooked meals according to the invention tends to solve all these problems. In particular, it makes it possible to distribute hot cooked dishes, without the public having access to the microwave ovens.

 The dispenser according to the invention has many other advantages. The distributor comprises columns of consumable products integral with a cabinet which is placed in the chassis of the distributor, the cabinet and the columns are adaptable to the products to be distributed and not specific to a particular product. Distribution is carried out by gravity to simplify the mechanics. The distributor can process consumable products at room temperature, positive cold, negative cold. The dispenser includes a programmable controller.

 It can be connected to a microcomputer for inventory management and after-sales service.

 The automatic dispenser according to the invention is of the type using means for storing consumable products, one or more microwave ovens, means for conveying dishes from stock to ovens, as well as a payment system (coin operated) and order. The dispenser is characterized by the fact that it comprises modular cabinets which are fixed in the upper part of the frame of the chassis of the dispenser, said cabinets are provided with lugs acting as a support adaptable to columns adjustable in size to receive the consumable products. in the middle part of the frame of the distributor frame, one or more hoppers arranged under the columns collect the products and direct them over one or more access hatches to a microwave oven; said microwave oven is provided with an ejection drawer which ejects the consumable product on a conveyor which conveys the product in front of an access window intended for the consumer, the lower part of the frame of the distributor frame includes a programmable controller , a control cabinet and an output connectable by modem to a microcomputer, for inventory management and after-sales service.

 In a preferred embodiment, the storage cabinet has four columns, below which are arranged two hoppers which give access to two microwave ovens.

 The access hatch is located in the upper part of the microwave oven, it is actuated by a jack.

 The microwave oven is provided with a bottomless drawer, the rear wall of which is in an inclined plane to receive the consumable product which falls from the access door and to act as an ejection rake when the drawer actuated by a another cylinder partially leaves the oven enclosure to eject said consumable product on a conveyor.

 The access window is equipped with a burglar-proof shutter which prevents the public from having access to conveyors and / or microwave ovens.

 According to another embodiment, the hopper is formed by transverse rollers which guide the consumable products towards an inlet hatch of at least one microwave oven.

 The oven entry hatch is of the horizontal hinged mailbox type, with a door suspended from hooks which ensure the opening of the door, when the product strikes the door by falling by gravity from the hopper, and the automatic closing of said door suspended by gravity.

 The means for ejecting the consumable product from the oven is a scraper, such as a vertical wall, which delimits a corresponding space for receiving the consumable product, said scraper is integral with the exit door of the oven with a vertical hinge.

 As soon as the door is opened, the scraper drives the consumable product out of the oven, by its vertical wall, and drops it onto a raceway which drives it towards the outlet and the access window to said product.

 The oven exit door is actuated by an electromagnet and a return spring.

 The microwave oven is provided with a perforation means for packaging the consumable product.

 The perforation means is composed of articulated fingers integral with an axis actuated by an electromagnet and a spring, the fingers are provided at their free end with at least one perforating needle.

 Said fingers are of different size and independent of each other to adapt to different forms of packaging.

 The attached drawings are indicative and not limiting. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention. They will allow the invention to be easily understood.

 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the dispenser seen along the cutting axis G-G shown in FIG. 3.

 FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the H-H axis shown in FIG. 2.

 Figure 4 is a perspective view of microwave ovens showing the movement of the access doors, ejection drawers, the conveyor.

 Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a microwave oven and in broken lines of the action of the ejection drawer.

 Figures 6, 7 and 8 are views, respectively, from the side, from above and from the front of a hopper according to the invention.

 Figure 9 is a perspective view of two hoppers as arranged in the dispenser.

 Figure 10 is a perspective view of a column loaded with consumables; it highlights its swivel loading and holding bar and its device for distributing each consumable product one by one.

 FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the column along the transverse axis A-A shown in FIG. 10.

 FIG. 12 is a sectional view along the axis B-B shown in FIG. 11.

 FIG. 13 is a sectional view along the axis C-C shown in FIG. 11.

 Figure 14 is a schematic view of another embodiment where the hopper is unique and where it is formed by transverse rollers. It highlights the entry and exit of the consumable product in the oven.

 Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of the oven showing the entry door, the exit door with its ejection means and the perforation means.

 FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the hook-hinges of the entry door, door suspended from the oven.

 FIG. 17 is a plan view of the means for perforating the packages of consumable product.

 The dispenser 1 according to the invention is of the type using a means for storing consumable products 14, one or more microwave ovens 21, 22, means for conveying dishes or consumable products from the stock to the oven, as well as a payment and ordering system.

 The dispenser 1 according to the invention, as shown in the figures, is in the form of a frame chassis 2, with a door 3 mounted on a hinge 4. This front door 3 has on its face an access window 5 which allows the public to take the consumable products chosen. Selection buttons 6 allow the user to select the consumable product he wishes. A coin mechanism 7 allows the consumer to pay for the consumable products chosen. A control screen 8 allows the user to know at each stage where the distributor is and his chosen dish. It also provides guidance in its operations.

 In the embodiment shown in the figures, the distributor 1 comprises two modular cabinets 9 which are fixed in the upper part 10 of the frame chassis 2 of the distributor 1. Said cabinets 9 are provided with transverse support bars 15 which allow the columns distribution It to be fixed by means of upper support legs 12 and lower support legs 13 to hang on to said cross bars 15 of the cabinets 9. These columns 11, which are hooked to the transverse support bars 15 of the different cabinets 9 , are adjustable and adapted to the specific consumable products 14 from which the dispenser 1 is supplied.

 In the middle part 16 of the frame chassis 2 of the distributor 1, two hoppers 17 and 18 are arranged under the distribution columns 11 to collect the consumable products 14 and direct them each over an access hatch 19, 20 towards a microwave oven 21, 22. Each microwave oven 21, 22 is provided with an ejection drawer 23, 24 which ejects the consumable product 14 on a conveyor 25. The conveyor 25 conveys the consumable product 14 in front of the window 5 arranged on the front door 3. This access window 5 is intended for the consumer.

 The lower part 26 of the frame chassis 2 of the distributor 1 comprises a programmable automaton 27. In addition, in this lower part 26, although not shown in the drawings, there is a control cabinet and an output connectable by a built-in modem or not to distributor 1 to a microcomputer for inventory management and after-sales service.

 In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cabinets 9 each have two columns, ie four columns 11 for distribution in total. Below these columns are arranged the two hoppers 17 and 18 which allow access to the two microwave ovens 21, 22. The access hatches 19 and 20 are located in the upper part of the microwave ovens 21 , 22.

These access hatches 19 and 20 are actuated by jacks 28 and 29. The microwave ovens 21 and 22 are each provided with ejection drawers 23, 24. The ejection drawers 23, 24 are drawers without bottom, the rear part of which is in an inclined plane 30, to receive the consumable product 14 which falls from the access hatch 19 or 20.

 The ejection drawer 23, 24 also acts as an ejection rake, when it is actuated by another jack 31 or 32 which leaves or enters the enclosure of the microwave oven 21 or 22, and, this, to eject the consumable product 14 on the common conveyor 25 which is disposed between the two microwaves 21 and 22. The access window 5 is equipped with a burglar-proof flap 33 which prevents the public from being able to have access conveyor 25 and / or microwave ovens.

 FIGS. 10, 11 or 12 and 13 show the device for distributing the columns 11 for storing consumable products 14. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a column 11. It in particular highlights the bar 34 which is a swivel bar as shown in phantom. This pivoting bar makes it possible to free the front entry of the column 11 for its loading with consumable products 14. In the closed position, the bar 34 makes it possible to maintain the consumable products one on the other in the column 11.

 At the bottom of the column 11, a distribution device is set up which makes it possible to deliver the consumable products 14 one by one.

 The distribution device of the column 11 consists of a flap 35, actuated by a linkage 36 provided with a counterweight 37.

 In order to release the consumable product 14 to be dispensed, a conveyor 38, disposed in the lower part of the column 11, makes it possible to release the consumable product 14. The flap 35 then being open. The conveyor belt 38 is provided with an index 39 which carries with it the consumable product 14.

 Because of its simplicity, this distribution device provided in the lower part of the bottom of the column 11 for storing consumable products 14 is very simple to operate.

 The hopper 40 is formed by transverse rollers 41. It forms a raceway which guides the consumable products 42 towards an inlet hatch 43 of a microwave oven 44-48.

 The consumable products 42 come, as in the previous embodiment, from columns 45 which are fixed to the frame 46 of the distributor cabinet.

 The hopper 40 is composed of a large cone open at its tip, which is oriented downward, and which ends in another inverted cone 47, tip up, which distributes the consumable products 42, either towards the oven right 44, or towards the left oven 48.

 The inlet hatch 43 of the oven 44 or 48 is of the "letter box" type with a horizontal hinge 49. The inlet hatch 43 is a door suspended from hooks 50 which ensure the opening of the entrance door 43 when the consumable product 42 strikes the entry door 43 by falling, by gravity, from the hopper 40, 47. The entry door 43 rises on the hooks 50, while turning and rising and falls by gravity . The closing of this hanging door 43 is automatic.

 The means 51 for ejecting the consumable product 42 from the oven 44, 48 is a scraper 51, such as a vertical wall which delimits a corresponding space for receiving the consumable product 42.

 Said scraper 51 is integral with the oven exit door, door 52. This door has a vertical hinge 53. As soon as the oven exit door 52 is actuated, the scraper 51 drives the consumable product 42 outside the oven 44, 48. The scraper 51, by its vertical wall, scrapes the bottom 54 of the oven 44 or 48 and drives, outside the oven 44, 48, the consumable product 42, when the door 52 is open. The outlet door 52 of the oven 44, 48 is actuated by an electromagnet and a return spring.

 The shape of the scraper 51 depends on the average shape of the packaging of consumable products 42. Each microwave oven 44, 48 is provided with a perforation means 55 of the packaging of the consumable product 42.

 The perforation means 55 is composed of articulated fingers 56 secured to an axis 57, actuated in rotation by an electromagnet and a spring (not shown in the figures). The fingers 56 are provided at their end with at least one perforating needle 58.

 Said fingers 56 are of different sizes and independent of each other to adapt to the different forms of packaging of consumable products 42. As soon as a packet of consumable products 42 falls into the oven, the programmed automaton actuates an electro- magnet and a return spring which act on the perforation means 55 which acts as a hand which comes to fall on the packaging of the consumable product 42, and by its fingers 56 and its perforating needles 58, pierce the packaging.

After this action, the perforation means is raised by a return spring, not shown in the figures. The set of perforation means 55 forms a hand, the fingers 56 of which may be straight, of different length, but the hand may also comprise fingers which, seen from above, form a fan, that is to say that they deviate from each other in the last third of their length.

 REFERENCES 1. Distributor 2. Frame chassis 3. Front door 4. Hinge 5. Access window 6. Selection buttons 7. Coin mechanism 8. Control screen 9. Modular cupboards 10. Upper part of chassis frame 11. Columns distribution 12. Upper support legs 13. Lower support legs 14. Consumable products 15. Cross support bars 16. Middle part of the chassis frame 17. Hopper 18. Hopper 19. Access hatch 20. Access hatch 21. Microwave oven 22. Microwave oven 23. Ejection drawer 24. Ejection drawer 25. Conveyor 26. Lower part of the frame frame 27. Programmable controller 28. Cylinder actuating the access hatch 29. Cylinder actuating the access hatch 30. Inclined plane of the ejection drawers 31. Cylinder actuating the ejection drawer 32. Cylinder actuating the ejection drawer 33. Burglar-proof flap 34. Swivel bar 35. Flap 36. Linkage 37 Counterweight 38. Conveyor 39. Index of the conveyor belt 3 8 40. Hopper 41. Cross rollers 42. Consumable products 43. Entrance hatch 44. Microwave oven 45. Columns 46. Cabinet frame 47. Inverted cone, tip up 48. Microwave oven 49. Horizontal hinge of the oven inlet flap 50. Hooks 51. Scraper 52. Oven exit door 53. Vertical hinge of the oven exit door 54. Bottom of the oven 55. Packaging perforation means 56. Hinged fingers 57. Axis of rotation of the perforating means 58. Punching needles

Claims (14)

 1. Automatic dispenser (1), of the type using means for storing consumable products (14, 42), one or more microwave ovens (21, 22; 44, 48), means for conveying dishes from stock in ovens, as well as a payment system (coin operated) and order, characterized by  that the frame of the cabinet comprises columns (11, 45) which receive the consumable products (14, 42); below the columns, at least one hopper (17, 18; 40, 47) collects, by gravity, the consumable products and directs them into, at least, a microwave oven (21, 22; 44, 48); each oven is provided with an ejection means (23, 24; 51) which ejects the product on a conveyor which conveys the product in front of an access window (19, 20) intended for the consumer, an automaton manages the various automatisms.  2. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that  that it comprises modular cabinets (9) which are fixed in the upper part of the frame of the chassis (10) of the distributor (1), said cabinets (9) are provided with lugs (12, 13) acting as a support adaptable to columns (11) adjustable in size to receive the consumable products (14) in the middle part of the frame of the chassis (16) of the dispenser, one or more hoppers arranged under the columns (11) collect the products (14) and direct them above one or more access hatches (19, 20) to a microwave oven (21, 22); said microwave oven (21, 22) is provided with an ejection drawer (23, 24) which ejects the consumable product (14) on a conveyor (25) which conveys the product in front of an access window (19 , 20) intended for the consumer, the lower part of the frame of the chassis (26) of the dispenser comprises a programmable automaton (27), a control cabinet and an output connectable by modem to a microcomputer, for inventory management and customer service.  3. Automatic dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that  that the storage cabinet (9) has four columns (11), below which are arranged two hoppers (17, 18) which give access to two microwave ovens (21, 22).  4. Automatic dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that  that the access hatch (19, 20) is located in the upper part of the microwave oven, it is actuated by a jack (28, 29).  5. Vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that  that the microwave oven (21, 22) is provided with a bottomless drawer (23, 24), the rear wall of which is in an inclined plane to receive the consumable product (14) which falls from the access hatch ( 19, 20) and to act as an ejection rake when the drawer actuated by another cylinder (31, 32) partially leaves the oven enclosure (21, 22) to eject said consumable product (14) on a conveyor (38).  6. Automatic dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that  that the access window (19, 20) is equipped with an anti-theft shutter (33) which prevents the public from being able to have access to the conveyors (25) and / or to the microwave ovens (21, 22).  7. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that  the hopper (40, 47) is formed by transverse rollers (41) which guide the consumable products (42) towards an inlet hatch (43) of at least one microwave oven (44, 48).  8. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that  the inlet hatch (43) of the oven (44, 48) is of the letter box type with horizontal hinge, with a door suspended from hooks (50) which ensure the opening of the door, when the product (42) strikes the door by falling by gravity from the hopper (40, 47), and the automatic closing of said suspended door by gravity.  9. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that  the means for ejecting (51) the consumable product (42) from the oven (44, 48) is a scraper, such as a vertical wall, which delimits a corresponding space for receiving the consumable product (42), said scraper (51 ) is secured to the oven exit door (52) with vertical hinge (53).  10. Automatic dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that  the microwave oven (44, 48) is provided with a perforation means (55) for packaging the consumable product (42).  11. Automatic dispenser according to claim 10, characterized in that  the perforation means (55) is composed of articulated fingers (56) integral with an axis (57) actuated by an electromagnet and a spring, the fingers (56) are provided at their free end with at least one needle hole punch (58).  12. Automatic dispenser according to claim 11, characterized in that  said fingers (56) are of different size and independent of each other to adapt to different forms of packaging.  13. Automatic dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that  that the hopper (40) is composed of a large cone open at its tip, which is oriented downward, and which ends in another cone (47) inverted, tip up, which distributes the consumable products ( 42), either to the right oven (44), or to the left oven (48).  14. Automatic dispenser according to claim 11, characterized in that  that all of the perforation means (55) form a hand whose fingers (56) may be straight, of different length, but the hand may also include fingers which, seen from above, form a fan, that is that is, they deviate from each other in the last third of their length.