JP2000130916A - Best-before data managing system for food - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage the best-before date of a food surely through combination of means for inputting at least the production data and the best-before date of a food, a control means for managing the limit of an inputted data signal, and means for outputting the brand name and date of the food based on a control signal. SOLUTION: When a food is contained in a refrigerator, bar code of the food is read out by an input means 4, i.e., a bar code reading section 10. A purchase date button 18-1 of an operating means 18 is then depressed to present the inputted brand name and purchase date of the food at the upper and lower display sections 12-1, 12-2 of a data display sections 12. Similarly, a production date button 18-2 and a bast-before date button 18-3 are depressed to display relevant terms. Furthermore, a printer button 14-2 at a printer section 14 is depressed to output a sheet printed with the data of the food from a printer output section 14-1. When the best-before date of the food is reached, a control means 6 lights a red alarm lamp 16 to notify the fact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food expiration date management system, and more particularly to control of expiration date of food by a control means, and movement of the expired food product to a predetermined location by a drive means. The present invention relates to a food expiration date management system that makes it easy to take out food products that have passed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a storage, for example, a refrigerator for storing foods while maintaining the temperature at a predetermined state. For example, home refrigerators are finely divided into a freezer room, a normal storage room, a low-temperature room for meat and fish (generally referred to as a “chilled room”), a vegetable room, and the like, and store food at an appropriate temperature. I have.

[0003]

By the way, with regard to the food stored in the conventional refrigerator, the date of manufacture and the expiration date of the food are checked at the time of storage in the refrigerator.
When the user opens the refrigerator door and takes out the food, or when newly storing the food in the refrigerator, he or she only sees the expiration date such as the production date or the expiration date of the nearby food.

[0004] As a result, there are many cases where foods whose expiration date has passed are stored in the back part of the refrigerator, and the expiration date of the foods is not reliably controlled, and it is necessary to throw away the foods.
It is economically disadvantageous due to waste, and if you accidentally eat food whose expiration date has passed, there is a risk of ill health, disadvantageous for hygiene management, and unnecessary things are stored in the refrigerator. Storing the refrigerator lowers the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator, which is disadvantageous in practical use.

[0005] Further, in general, when storing food in a refrigerator, it is practiced to remember expiration dates such as a production date and a shelf life of the food and manage the expiration date in the head. There is a high possibility that a situation in which the date stored in the memory is forgotten or an incorrect date is stored is caused, and there is a disadvantage that the reliability of time limit management is low.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, the present invention provides an input means for inputting at least a production date and a shelf life of a food, and a data signal from the input means. Control means for managing the expiration date of the data signal, and output means for outputting the brand and date of the food according to the control signal from the control means.

[0007] Also, input means for inputting at least the production date and the expiration date of the food, control means for inputting a data signal from the input means and managing the time limit of the input data signal, and control signal from the control means. Output means for outputting the brand and date of the food, and drive means for moving the food whose expiration date has passed to a predetermined location by a control signal from the control means.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
At least the production date and the expiration date of the food input from the input means are input to the control means, the expiration date management of the data signal input by the control means is performed, and the control signal is output from the control means to the output means to output the food. Output the brand and date,
We manage the expiration date of food.

[0009] Further, at least the production date and the expiration date of the food, which are input from the input means, are input to the control means, and the control means manages the input data signal for the time limit.
A control signal is output from the control means to the output means to output the brand and date of the food, and a control signal is output from the control means to the drive means to move the food whose expiration date has passed to a predetermined location, and It facilitates the removal of expired food and manages the expiration date of the food.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a food expiration date management system.

The food expiration date management system 2 includes an input means 4 for inputting at least the production date and the expiration date of the food.
And a control means 6 for inputting a data signal from the input means 4 and managing the expiration date of the input data signal, and an output means 8 for outputting a brand and date of the food according to the control signal from the control means 6. ing.

More specifically, the input means 4 comprises a bar code reading section 10.

The output means 8 includes a data display section 12 for displaying the brand and date of the food on a liquid crystal display, a printer section 14 for printing the brand and date of the food, and a printer section 14 for displaying the brand and date of the food. And a notification lamp section 16 that is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control means 6 of the food expiration date management system 2 is provided with an operation means 18 for displaying the purchase date, the production date, and the expiration date, respectively.
When an operation signal is input from the operation means 18,
The control unit 6 has a function of displaying arbitrary data such as a purchase date, a production date, and a shelf life on the data display unit 12 of the output unit 8.
Provided in addition to.

For example, the structure of the food expiration date management system 2 will be described. As shown in FIG.
A bar code reading section 10 and a box-shaped main body section 20 provided separately from the bar code reading section 10 are provided on the main body section 20, a data display section 12, a printer section 14, and a notification lamp of the output means 8. A section 16 and an operation means 18 are provided.

The bar code reading section 10 reads data such as the brand of the food, the date of purchase, the date of manufacture, and the expiration date from the bar code to which the food is added.

As shown in FIG. 1, the data display section 12 comprises an upper display section 12-1 for displaying a brand of food and a lower display section 12-2 for displaying a date.

The printer unit 14 includes a printer output unit 14-1 for outputting printed paper and a printer button 14-2 pressed to output food data, for example, in a tabular form. Become.

The notification lamp section 16 is illuminated when the expiration date of the food has passed, and is colored red to facilitate visual observation.

The operating means 18 includes a purchase date button 18-
1 and a production date button 18-2 and a shelf life button 18-3.

When the purchase date button 18-1 is pressed, the brand name and purchase date of the input food are displayed by pressing the purchase date button 18-1. -1 and 12-2. At this time, the display order is set to, for example, the input order, and when the purchase date button 18-1 is pressed again, the brand name and the purchase date of the next food are displayed on the upper and lower display units 12-1 and 12-1 of the data display unit 12. -2 are displayed.

When the production date button 18-2 is pressed, the brand name and the production date of the input food are displayed on the upper and lower display sections of the data display section 12 by pressing the production date button 18-2. 12-1 and 12-2 are displayed respectively. At this time, the display order is set to, for example, an input order, and when the production date button 18-2 is pressed again, the brand and production date of the next food are displayed on the upper and lower display units 12-1, 12 and 12 of the data display unit 12. -2 are displayed.

Further, when the expiration date button 18-3 is pressed, the brand name and the expiration date of the input food are displayed on the upper and lower display sections of the data display section 12. 12-1 and 12-2 are displayed respectively. At this time, the display order is set to, for example, the input order similarly to the purchase date button 18-1 and the production date button 18-2 described above, and when the expiration date button 18-3 is pressed again, the brand name of the next food is displayed. And the expiration date are displayed on the upper and lower display sections 12-1 and 12-2 of the data display section 12, respectively.

Alternatively, in the case of displaying the expiration date, it is possible to set in advance so that the expiration date is displayed in the approaching order.

Next, the operation will be described.

When storing food in a refrigerator, the bar code reading unit 1 serving as the input means 4 reads the bar code of the food.
After reading, the food is stored in the refrigerator.

When the purchase date button 18-1 of the operation means 18 is pressed, the brand name and the purchase date of the input food are displayed on the upper and lower display units 1 of the data display unit 12.
2-1 and 12-2 are displayed respectively.

At this time, when the purchase date button 18-1 is pressed again, according to a preset input order,
The brand name and purchase date of the next food are displayed on the upper and lower display sections 12-1 and 12-2 of the data display section 12, respectively.

The production date button 1 of the operating means 18
When the user presses 8-2, the brand and production date of the input food are displayed on the upper and lower display units 12 of the data display unit 12.
-1 and 12-2.

At this time, when the production date button 18-2 is pressed again, the order is changed according to a preset input order.
The brand and date of manufacture of the next food are displayed on the upper and lower displays 12-1 and 12-2 of the data display 12, respectively.

Further, when the expiration date button 18-3 of the operation means 18 is pressed, the brand name and the expiration date of the inputted food are displayed on the upper and lower display sections 12-1 and 12-2 of the data display section 12. Are displayed respectively.

At this time, when the expiration date button 18-3 is pressed again, the brand name and the expiration date of the next food are displayed in the data display section 1 in a preset input order.
2 are displayed on the upper and lower display sections 12-1 and 12-2, respectively.

Further, when the printer button 14-2 of the printer section 14 is pressed, the paper on which the data of the foods stored so far are arranged and printed in a list state, for example, is output from the printer output section 14-1. Is output.

When the expiration date of the food has passed while the food is being stored in the refrigerator, the control means 6 turns on the red notification lamp section 16 to confirm that there is a food whose expiration date has passed. I have announced.

Thus, the expiration date management system 2 for the food can be operated by the input means 4 for inputting at least the production date and the expiration date of the food, and by inputting the data signal from the input means 4 and expiring the input data signal. , And output means 8 for outputting the brand and date of the food according to the control signal from the control means 6, so that the expiration date of the food can be reliably managed and the food can be wasted. It is economically advantageous, and there is no risk of accidentally eating foods whose expiration date has passed. And the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator can be improved, which is practically advantageous.

Further, by using the bar code reading section 10 as the input means 4, bar codes attached to various foods can be directly read and used for expiration date management, thereby improving usability.

Further, the data display section 12 of the output means 8
By displaying the brand of the food on the upper display unit 12-1 and the date on the lower display unit 12-2, it is easy to confirm the brand and date of the food, which is practically advantageous.

Further, the output unit 8 is provided with a printer unit 1.
4 and the printer section 14 is composed of a printer output section 14-1 and a printer button 14-2.
By pressing 4-2, the data of the food stored up to the present can be output from the printer output unit 14-1 by printing, for example, a sheet printed with the data of the food arranged in a list, for example. In addition to being able to carry out efficiently, it is also possible to carry out food inventory management, which is practically advantageous.

The notification means 16 is provided to the output means 8.
Is provided, when the expiration date of the food stored in the refrigerator elapses, the red notification lamp section 16 can be turned on by the control means 6, and it is ensured that there is a food whose expiration date has passed. May be announced.

Further, the operating means 18 is provided with a purchase date button 18-1, a production date button 18-2, and an expiration date button 18.
With the configuration having -3, the brand of the food and the necessary date can be confirmed only by pressing each button, and the usability of the food expiration date management system 2 can be improved. .

Further, when the brand name and the expiration date of the food are displayed by pressing the expiration date button 18-3, it is set in advance so that the expiration date is approaching. Management can be performed more efficiently.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the first embodiment, the input means 4 is a bar code reading section 10, but the feature of the second embodiment is that the input means 4 is connected to the bar code reading section 10 by key input. This is the point constituted by the section 22.

That is, as shown in FIG.
2 is connected to a main body of a food expiration date management system (not shown) via a connection cord 24.

Then, the input function of the key input section 22 can be added to the bar code reading function of the bar code reading section 10 of the input means 4, and for example, the expiration date management of food without bar code can be performed. It is possible to increase the versatility and is practically advantageous.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

The feature of the third embodiment is that a dedicated tray 32 for time limit management is provided.

That is, when the food is stored in the refrigerator, a bar code attached to the food is read, or a date or the like is manually input from input means (not shown), and the food is placed on the dedicated tray 32 after the input. Things.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the dedicated tray 32 is connected to the tray section 34, the display lamp section 36 mounted on the tray section 34, and the main body of the food expiration date management system (not shown). And a connection code 38.

Then, when the expiration date of the food stored in the refrigerator has passed, the display lamp unit 36 of the exclusive tray 32 is turned on by the control means (not shown), and the position of the food whose expiration date has passed is determined. Can be reliably announced,
It can improve usability.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The feature of the fourth embodiment is that the food expiration date management system 42 includes an input means 4 for inputting at least a production date and a shelf life of the food, and a data signal from the input means 4. A control means 6 for managing the expiration date of the input data signal, an output means 8 for outputting the brand and date of the food according to the control signal from the control means 6, an operation means 18, and a control signal from the control means 6 And a driving unit 44 for moving the food product whose expiration date has passed to a predetermined location.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Is constituted by a hand part 46 which can be freely moved in the horizontal and vertical directions and has a pinching function at a distal end portion.

Then, for example, a plurality of storage boxes 48-
, 48-2,..., And a dust box 50 serving as a predetermined portion is provided, and when the expiration date of the food is controlled, the food is stored in a plurality of storage boxes 48-1, 48-2,. When there is a food item whose expiration date has passed, that is, when the expiration date of the food item has passed, the food unit
Is moved into the dust box 50.

Then, the food whose expiration date has passed can be automatically moved into the dust box 50, which is a predetermined location, by the driving means 44, so that the food whose expiration date has passed can be easily taken out, and practically. It is advantageous.

Further, the food expiration date management system 42 can surely manage the expiration date of the food, as in the first embodiment, and there is no fear of wasting the food. In addition to this, there is no danger of accidentally eating food whose expiration date has passed, which is advantageous in terms of hygiene management, and unnecessary items are not stored in the refrigerator. It can be improved and is practically advantageous.

Further, the data display section 12 of the output means 8
Thus, as in the first embodiment, it is easy to confirm the brand and date of the food, which is practically advantageous.

Further, the printer unit 1 is connected to the output means 8.
4, the same as in the first embodiment,
The printer unit 14 can output food data stored up to the present, for example, by arranging the data in a list state, and printing out the paper. Inventory management can be performed, which is practically advantageous.

The notification means 16 is provided to the output means 8.
As in the first embodiment, when the expiration date of the food stored in the refrigerator elapses, the control unit 6 can turn on the red notification lamp unit 16, and the Be sure to announce that some food items are out of date.

Further, the provision of the operating means 18 allows the user to press the purchase date button, the production date button, and the expiration date button in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the brand name of the food is determined. Date and can be confirmed,
The convenience of the food expiration date management system 42 can be improved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various application modifications are possible.

For example, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the input means is a bar code reading section, and in the second embodiment, the input means is constituted by a bar code reading section and a key input section. However, only the key input unit or a keyboard connected to a personal computer or the like can be used as the input means.

In the first and third embodiments, the notification lamp unit and the display lamp unit are turned on when the expiration date has passed. However, it is also possible to turn on the notification lamp unit in stages.

That is, when the expiration date is approaching,
Blinks the notification lamp and display lamp, increases the blinking speed as the number of days elapses, and when the expiration date has passed,
The notification lamp section and the display lamp section are turned on.

Then, by the blinking operation of the notification lamp unit and the display lamp unit, it is possible to visually confirm that the expiration date is approaching, and it is possible to further prevent waste of the food, and it is economically advantageous. is there.

Further, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
In the case where there is food whose expiration date has passed, the food is moved into the dust box 50, which is a predetermined location, by the hand unit 46 of the driving means 44. However, it is also possible to move the food for each box. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of storage boxes 54-1, 54-2, 54-3,... Are arranged on one side (lower side in FIG. 7) on a rail 52 arranged like a ladder. If there is food whose expiration date has passed and it is assumed that the food is stored in the storage box 54-3, for example, the storage box 54-3 is placed on the other side of the rail 52 (in FIG. 7, To the storage box 54-1 and 54-2 at the same time to eliminate the space left by the storage box 54-3, and to the storage box at the left end (see the dashed line in FIG. 7). 54
Move -3.

At this time, the left end of one side (the lower side in FIG. 7) on the rail 52 may be set as a predetermined position where the food whose expiration date has passed is located.

The plurality of storage boxes 54-
The movement of 1, 54-2, 54-3,... May be automatically controlled by the control means.

In this case, the food product whose expiration date has passed can be automatically moved to a predetermined location while being stored in the storage box, and the food product whose expiration date has passed can be easily taken out. It is more advantageous.

Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the food expiration date management system is formed separately from the refrigerator and can be attached later. It is also possible to adopt a configuration provided integrally with the refrigerator.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, a system for managing the expiration date of food has been described. It can also be applied to the issuance date management of documents.

[0074]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, input means for inputting at least the production date and the expiration date of food, and a data signal input from the input means, and the expiration date of the input data signal By having the control means for managing and the output means for outputting the brand and date of the food according to the control signal from the control means, the expiration date of the food can be reliably managed, and the food may be wasted. Without
It is economically advantageous, and there is no risk of accidentally eating foods whose expiration date has passed, which is advantageous for hygiene management, and there is no need to store unnecessary items in the refrigerator. The efficiency can be improved, which is practically advantageous.

Further, input means for inputting at least the production date and the expiration date of the food, control means for inputting a data signal from the input means and managing the time limit of the input data signal, and control signal from the control means By having output means for outputting the brand and date of the food by the drive means for moving the food whose expiration date has passed to a predetermined location by a control signal from the control means, the food whose expiration date has passed By the driving means, the food can be automatically moved into the dust box, which is a predetermined place, and it is easy to take out the food after the expiration date, which is practically advantageous. In addition, the expiration date management system for the food can surely manage the expiration date of the food, there is no risk of wasting the food, and it is economically advantageous. There is no fear of eating and it is advantageous for hygiene management, and unnecessary things are not stored in the refrigerator, and the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator can be improved,
It is practically advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a food expiration date management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a food expiration date management system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a key input unit showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a tray with an indicator lamp showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a food expiration date management system showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a driving unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a driving means showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Food expiration date management system 4 Input means 6 Control means 8 Output means 10 Barcode reading unit 12 Data display unit 12-1 Upper display unit 12-2 Lower display unit 14 Printer unit 14-1 Printer output unit 14-2 Printer button 16 Notification lamp section 18 Operating means 18-1 Purchase date button 18-2 Production date button 18-3 Expiration date button 20 Main body section

Claims (5)

[Claims] An input means for inputting at least a production date and a shelf life of food, a control means for inputting a data signal from the input means and managing a time limit of the input data signal,
Output means for outputting the brand and date of the food in response to a control signal from the control means. 2. The food expiration date management system according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a bar code reading section and / or a key input section. 3. The output means includes a data display unit for displaying the brand and date of the food on a liquid crystal display, a printer unit for printing the brand and date of the food, and a notification that is lit when the food has passed the expiration date. The food expiration date management system according to claim 1, further comprising a lamp unit. 4. The control means is connected to an operation means for displaying a purchase date, a production date, and a best-before date, respectively, and when an operation signal is input from the operation means, a data display of the output means is provided. The food expiration date management system according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a function of causing a section to display arbitrary data such as a purchase date, a production date, and a shelf life. 5. An input means for inputting at least a production date and a shelf life of food, a control means for inputting a data signal from the input means and managing a time limit of the input data signal,
Output means for outputting the brand and date of the food by a control signal from the control means, and a driving means for moving the food whose expiration date has passed to a predetermined location by the control signal from the control means, Food expiration management system.