JP2002516241A - Dish separation and preparation method and apparatus for performing this method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A method for separating and preparing dishes, especially dishes containing food, from a dish stack. A dish 1 having at least two deformable dish walls 3, 4 lying opposite one another is processed. The dishes are assembled with each other with their dish openings 5 facing downward and the lowermost dish 1a is stacked in a dish stack with the deformable dish walls resting on the holding surfaces 7,8. The deformable dish wall of the lowermost dish is deformed by the manipulator elements 9, 10, so that the dish is released from the holding surface and released from the dish stack 2 and the subsequent dish 1b of the dish stack is deformable dish wall. Is lowered on the holding surface. The dish released from the dish stack is gripped by a gripping element 11 which engages in the dish opening and the dish is tilted while sliding on the gripping element with the dish opening facing upwards and aligned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for separating and preparing dishes, especially dishes containing food, from a dish stack. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the method. Within the scope of the present invention, separating and preparing is such that the dishes, which are integrated into one another or stacked on one another in the dish stack, are unraveled from the dish stack and for filling, in particular of foodstuffs. It is meant to be used for filling. Separation and preparation of such dishes is particularly necessary in food vending machines, where the dishes are each individually filled with a serving of food and delivered from the vending machine. Preferably, the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are used in vending machines for fried foods, in particular potato fries. Such vending machines include:
For space reasons, dishes for accommodating foodstuffs are always arranged in a stack of dishes, stacked one on top of the other. In the operation of a vending machine, each individual dish must be functionally unpacked from the dish stack and fed to a filling device which fills the dishes with foodstuffs, preferably potato fries. The dishes are generally formed relatively thin and in a preferred manner, but also consist of paperboard.

[0002]

[Prior art]

In the methods known in practice for the separation and preparation of dishes, they are handled by relatively costly measures. The equipment costs of the equipment used are also considerable. Often, malfunctions occur with this known method and device. The dishes are not supplied to the filling device at the desired location or location, or clamping or similar mechanical forcing occurs in the dish stack, which makes it impossible for the device or vending machine to function reliably and continuously operate.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of the type described at the outset, by means of which a simple and inexpensive method enables a reliable separation and preparation of dishes. I do. It is a further technical object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for performing the method.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to solve this technical problem, the present invention relates to a method for separating and preparing a dish, in particular a dish containing food, from a stack of dishes, wherein at least two mutually deformable deformable pieces are provided. Dishes having a unique dish wall are processed, wherein the dishes are assembled into each other with the dish opening facing down and the lowest dish resting on the holding surface with the deformable dish wall. Stacked in a dish stack, the deformable dish wall of the lowermost dish is deformed by the manipulator element, so that the dish is released from the holding surface and unraveled from the dish stack and the subsequent dishes in the dish stack are: The dish placed on the holding surface with the deformable dish wall, and then released from the dish stack, is gripped by a gripping element engaging the dish opening and the dish slides over the gripping element and up the dish opening. To Teach the method of tilting to an aligned position.

[0005] The deformable dish wall is intended for a dish wall that can be elastically deformed in a suitable manner. The dish is
It preferably consists of a corresponding elastically deformable material, for example a synthetic resin or paperboard. The oppositely located dish walls can be deformed only slightly, for example a few mm towards the center of the dish, so that the dishes can be unraveled from the dish stack, as will be explained further below. Is enough. It is understood that the elastically deformable dish wall is returned to its starting position after its deformation and after being released from the dish stack. In a suitable manner, all dish walls and preferably also the dish bottom are made of the same material and all dish walls are likewise deformable, preferably elastically deformably aligned. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dish is treated, the dish having a cross-section that decreases from the dish opening to the dish bottom with respect to at least its deformable dish walls. In this case, the deformable dish wall is formed as an oblique wall with respect to the dish bottom, which oblique wall transitions from the dish opening to the dish bottom. In a rational manner, the dish has a cross-section that reduces from the dish opening to the dish bottom for all dish walls. In a preferred manner, the dish is treated, the dish having a rectangular cross section in plan view. In other words, both the dish bottom and the dish opening preferably have a rectangular shape. The corners of the dish can then be made circular. According to a preferred embodiment, the dish is rectangular in plan view, preferably with rounded corners. In the case of a cross-section which then reduces from the dish opening to the dish bottom, the dish has a pyramidal shape in a rational manner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dish is treated, the dish being connected at least to the oppositely deformable dish walls on the dish opening side and bent to the dish outside. Having. The dish edge is arranged in a suitable manner parallel to the dish bottom or parallel to the dish bottom. In a rational manner, the edges of the various dishes are oriented horizontally in the dish stack. Preferably, the dish has a dish edge surrounding the dish opening. However, the dish can be provided with a dish edge, on which the manipulator elements described in the plate can also act.

[0007] In a preferred manner, the lowest dish of the dish stack is placed on its holding surface at its dish edge. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dish edge connected to two oppositely deformable dish walls is biased by two manipulator lugs rotating with respect to the dish edge and the method is carried out in this manner. Then the dish wall is deformed. In this case, two manipulator shafts which are arranged in a rational manner are provided, and at least one and preferably two manipulator lugs are connected to the manipulator shafts. According to this embodiment, the manipulator element consists of one manipulator shaft and at least one manipulator lug connected thereto. It is also within the scope of the invention that only the dish edge is deformed, preferably elastically deformed, by the bias of the manipulator element. The deformation of the dish wall means only deformation or elastic deformation of the dish edge within the scope of the present invention.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, during the gripping of the dish released from the dish stack, the inside of the dish wall comes into contact with the gripping element. In a preferred manner, the inside of the dish is brought into gripping contact with a gripping edge extending parallel to the dish wall of the gripping element. It is within the scope of the present invention that inside the gripping contact, the inside of the deformable dish wall is targeted. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, during the gripping contact between the gripping element and the inside of the dish wall, the outside of the dish wall is biased by at least one rotating manipulator nose, the manipulator nose being When the rotation is continued, it is unraveled from the outside again, after which the dish is tilted to its aligned position while sliding on the gripping element under its own weight. The gripping contact between the inner side of the dish wall and the gripping edges parallel to the dish wall takes place in a suitable manner and the dish slides on these gripping edges under its own weight in an aligned position. Be inclined. It is within the scope of the present invention that during gripping contact in a reasonable manner, the underside of the dish edge of the dish wall is biased by at least one rotating manipulator lug.

[0009] It is within the scope of the present invention that the dishes tilted to the aligned position are supplied by a transport device to a filling device for filling the dishes. The dishes fed to the filling device in a suitable manner are then filled with a serving of fried food, in particular potato fries.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problem, the invention furthermore provides a dish shaft for accommodating a dish stack with a dish opening provided at the lower end of the dish shaft. , Provided on at least two sides opposite the discharge opening, holding surfaces for at least two plate walls of the lowermost plate in the plate stack, further comprising a discharge opening A first manipulator element axis and a second manipulator element axis are arranged on two sides facing each other, wherein each manipulator axis has at least one manipulator projection connected radially. The device is taught, wherein a gripping rim is provided below the dish stack, parallel to the manipulator axis, for gripping contact with the dish.

The present invention makes it possible, when the method according to the invention according to claim 1 or the apparatus according to the invention according to claim 9 is realized, to perform a simple and at the same time surprisingly reliable functioning of the dishes. It is based on the recognition that. The method according to the invention operates completely and without mechanical forcing. The device according to the invention is characterized by a simple and low device cost. Of particular importance is the inverted arrangement of the dishes in the dish stack.
The dirt or dust can be effectively kept away from the inside of the dish by the dish being directed down its dish opening. The dish is unraveled or separated from the dish shaft without any other problems and is always prepared in an optimal position or position for filling.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing only one embodiment. The drawings show schematic diagrams.

[0013]

【Example】

The figure shows an apparatus for the separation and preparation of a dish 1 for containing food, preferably fried food such as fries. The apparatus is suitably used in a vending machine (not shown) for preferably fried foods, preferably potato fries. Preferably and in the embodiment according to the figures, the dishes 1 are arranged as a dish stack 2, the dishes 1 having a pyramidal shape. In other words, the dish 1 has a rectangular dish opening 5 as well as a rectangular dish bottom 12 and the dish has a cross section that decreases from the dish opening 5 to the dish bottom 12. In this case, the dish walls 3, 4 are formed as oblique walls with respect to the dish bottom 12. In a preferred manner and in an embodiment, the dish 1 comprises four resiliently deformable oblique dish walls 3,4. The two opposing deformable dish walls 3, 4 are compressible to at least some dimension towards the dish center M and, when the compression force is released, restore the dish walls 3, 4 to their starting position. Is performed. In a preferred manner and in the examples,
The dish 1 is processed, the dish having dish edges 13, 14 connected to its dish walls 3, 4 on the dish opening side and bent to the outside of the dish. The dish edges 13, 14 are arranged in the exemplary embodiment parallel to the dish bottom and surrounding the dish opening 5.

The apparatus has a stack shaft 20 for accommodating a stack 2 of dishes with a throw-out opening 21 of the dish 1 at the lower end of the stack shaft 20. Manipulator elements 9, 10 for deformation of the dish walls 3, 4 are arranged in the outlet opening 21 in a rational manner.
The dishes 1 are stacked in a dish stack 2 with their dish openings facing down, assembled into each other. In the embodiment, two half-surfaces for the lowermost dish 1a of the dish stack 2 (in particular FIG.
Reference). The lowermost plate 1a rests on its holding surfaces 7, 8 the deformable plate walls 3, 4 or bent plate edges 13, 14 connected to the plate walls.
The manipulator shafts 22 parallel to each other are located on the side of the
, 23 are arranged and each manipulator shaft 22, 23 is connected in a preferred manner and in the embodiment in the radial direction of the manipulator shaft 22, 23.
It has two manipulator projections 15 and 16. The holding surfaces 7, 8 in a rational manner
The manipulator shafts 22 and 23 are respectively disposed between the manipulator projections 15 and 16 (FIG. 7). It is within the scope of the invention to provide a corresponding drive or drive motor 25 for driving the manipulator shafts 22, 23. In an exemplary embodiment, the manipulator shafts 22, 23 are rotatable in opposite directions, which is indicated by the corresponding arrows in FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a starting position in which the device according to the invention is not operating. Lowermost plate 1a
Rests on the holding surfaces 7, 8 by its countersinks 13, 14. The device according to the invention is activated, for example, in the above-mentioned vending machine after the emission of a key signal and thus the lowermost dish 1a is released from the dish stack and prepared for filling, as described below. . After operation of the device, the manipulator shafts 22, 23 are driven in opposite directions. At this time, the manipulator projections 15, 1 of the manipulator shafts 22, 23
6 urges the vertical side surfaces of the plate edges 13, 14 of the lowest plate 1a (FIG. 2). Figure 1
6 and FIG. 6, one manipulator projection 15 and 16 are respectively recognized. Manipulator projections 15, 16 in the radial direction of the manipulator shafts 22, 23
Is the lowest plate 1a in the plate shaft 2 or the plate edge 13 thereof, respectively.
, 14 are aligned so as to be gripped by the manipulator lugs 15, 16. By the biasing of the manipulator lugs 15, 16, the two oppositely facing dish walls 3, 4 or their dish edges 13, 14 are elastically deformed towards the dish center M, which is shown in FIG. ing. So dish 1a
Are released from the holding surfaces 7, 8 and are released from the dish stack 2 (FIG. 3). During the continuous rotation of the manipulator shafts 22, 23, the manipulator projections 15, 16
The lower sides 19 of the tray edges 13, 14. The following dish 1b in the dish shaft 2 is lowered on the holding surfaces 7, 8 by its dish walls 3, 4 or dish edges 13, 14 connected to the dish wall and forms the lowest dish in the dish stack 2. I do.

The dish 1 a released from the dish shaft 2 is gripped by a gripping element 11 that engages in the dish opening 5 (FIG. 4). In the embodiment, the gripping element 11 arranged below the stack shaft 20 has a gripping edge 24 parallel to the manipulator shafts 22,23.

In a preferred manner and in an embodiment, the gripping element 11 is a gripping plate
It is preferably implemented as a gripping plate. However, it is also within the scope of the invention for the gripping element 11 to be formed, for example, as a gripping curved frame. In a preferred manner and in the exemplary embodiment, the inner side 17 of the oblique dish wall 3 is gripped by the gripper edge 24 of the gripper element 11 when gripping the dish 1a.
(Fig. 5). In a preferred manner and according to an embodiment, the gripping element 1
During the gripping contact between 1 and the inside 17 of the oblique dish wall 3, the outside 18 of the dish wall 3 is urged by the two manipulator lugs 15 of the rotating first manipulator shaft 22.
In a suitable manner, the lower side 19 of the dish edge 13 is biased by the manipulator lugs 15 (FIG. 5). By this bias, the plate 1a in FIG.
It is pulled to the manipulator projection 15 while sliding on the gripping edge 24 on its lower side 17 in the direction, and is released again from the lower side 19 of the dish edge 13 during the continuous rotation of the manipulator shaft 22.

At least at this point, the dish edge 14 attached to the dish wall 4 has no bottom contact in a suitable manner. The dish 1a is tilted in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 5) while sliding on the gripping rim 24 on its inside 17 under the influence of its own weight (FIG. 5) and finally to the aligned position shown in FIG. Turn the dish opening 5 upward. Correspondingly, a transmission device, not shown, for example a conduction plate or a conduction tongue, is provided which, when tilted, guides the dish 1a to the desired position. Subsequently, the dish 1a is correctly aligned for filling. In a rational manner, the dishes 1a which have been tilted in the aligned position can likewise be moved by means of a transport device, not shown.
Is supplied to a filling device (not shown) for filling with.

According to a preferred embodiment and example, the gripping edge 24 of the gripping element 11 is provided between the center M of the ejection opening 21 or the center M of the dish 1 and the first manipulator shaft 22. It is arranged below. The gripping element 11, which is preferably formed as a gripping plate or gripping curve, is tilted somewhat in a suitable manner with respect to the center M of the outlet opening 21 and at an angle of 60-85 ° with the horizon in a reasonable manner. , Preferably between 75 ° and 85 °. It is within the scope of the invention that the oblique dish wall 3 of the dish 1 arranged on the stack shaft 2 is also inclined in the same direction as the gripping element 11 with respect to the dish center M. In this case, the oblique dish wall 3 is in an undeformed state in a suitable manner from 100 ° to 150 °, preferably 110 ° to 135 °, very preferably 1 °.
An angle β of 10 ° to 125 ° is made with respect to the dish bottom 12.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of the device according to the invention in a first working position.

FIG. 2 shows the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a second working position.

FIG. 3 shows the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a third working position.

FIG. 3 shows the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a third working position.

FIG. 4 shows the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a fourth working position.

FIG. 5 shows the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a fifth working position.

FIG. 6 shows the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a sixth working position.

FIG. 7 is a view of the device according to the present invention, taken along the line AA of FIG. 1;

8 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 7 in a view on arrow B in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 dish 1a dish 1b dish 2 dish stack 3 dish wall 4 dish wall 5 dish opening 7 holding surface 8 holding surface 9 manipulator element 10 manipulator element 11 gripping element 13 dish edge 15 manipulator projection 16 manipulator projection 19 under dish edge 13 Side 20 Stack shaft 21 Projection opening 22 Manipulator shaft 23 Manipulator shaft 24 Gripping edge

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR , BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS , JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method for separating and preparing a dish (1), in particular a dish containing foodstuffs, from a dish stack (2), wherein at least two deformable dish walls are located opposite one another. (3, 4
) Is processed, wherein the dish (1) is formed with a deformable dish wall (3, 4) with the dish opening (5) directed downward and the lowermost dish (1a) being deformable. Resting on the holding surfaces (7, 8), they are built into each other and stacked in a dish stack (2), wherein the deformable dish walls (3, 4) of the lowermost dish (1a) , Manipulator elements (9, 10), so that the dishes (1a) are released from the holding surfaces (7, 8) and unraveled from the dish stack (2) and the subsequent dishes (1ab) in the dish stack (2) ) Are placed on the holding surfaces (7, 8) with deformable dish walls (3, 4), and the dishes (1a) released from the dish stack (2) are then placed in the dish openings (5). The dish (1a) is gripped by the engaging gripping element (11) and the dish opening (5) slides on the gripping element (11). The method to be tilted in aligned position directed upwards. 2. The dish (1) is then processed, the dish having a cross-section that decreases at least with respect to its deformable dish walls (3, 4) from the dish opening (5) to the dish bottom (12). The method of claim 1. 3. The dish (1) is processed in such a way that the dish is connected to at least two oppositely deformable dish walls on the dish opening side and is bent to the outside of the dish.
The method according to claim 1, comprising: (3, 14). 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the lowermost plate (1a) of the plate stack (2) rests on its holding surface (7, 8) at its plate edge (13, 14). . 5. The dish edge (13, 14) connected to the oppositely deformable dish walls (3, 4), at least two manipulators rotating with respect to the dish edge (13, 14). 5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the countersunk walls (3, 4) are biased by the projections (15, 16) and the dish walls (3, 4) are deformed in this way. 6. An inner side (17) of the dish wall (3) comes into gripping contact with the gripping element (11) when gripping the dish (1a) released from the dish stack (2). Item 6. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 5. 7. During the gripping contact between the gripping element (11) and the inner side (17) of the dish wall (3), the outer side (18) of the dish wall (3) has a rotating manipulator lug (
15), whose manipulator lug (15) is released again from the outside (18) as the rotation continues, after which the plate (1a) is displaced by its own weight by the gripping element (11).
7.) The method of claim 6, wherein the method is slid over and tilted to an aligned position. 8. The underside (19) of the dish edge (13) of one of the dish walls (3) during the gripping contact is biased by a rotating manipulator lug (15). The method described in. 9. A stack shaft (20) for accommodating a dish stack (2) with a discharge opening (21) for a dish (1) arranged at the lower end of the stack shaft (20). For at least two dish walls (3, 4) of the lowermost dish (1a) in the dish stack (2) on at least two sides located opposite the outlet opening (21). A holding surface (7, 8) is provided, further comprising a first manipulator shaft (22) and a second manipulator shaft (23) on two sides located opposite the outlet opening (21). And are arranged,
In this case, each manipulator shaft (22, 23) has at least one manipulator lug (15, 16) connecting in the radial direction, and the manipulator shaft (22, 23) below the stack shaft (20). 10. A device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, wherein a gripping edge (24) is provided for gripping contact with the dish (1a), parallel to the plate. . 10. The gripping edge (24) is arranged below the stack shaft (20) between the center of the projection opening (21) and the manipulator axis (22). An apparatus according to claim 1.