JP2011251063A - Dinnerware disinfecting and storing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dinnerware disinfecting and storing apparatus not needing an operation to open/close openings of a container serving as paths through which hot air is supplied or returned and is capable of transporting or moving the container while the openings are blocked without fail and the effectiveness of dry disinfection is maintained.SOLUTION: The dinnerware disinfecting and storing apparatus includes: a connection duct 125 mounted on a hot-air circulation unit 100 and is elevatable; and an open/close mechanism 209 communicating with the connection duct 125, constitutes openings serving as paths through which the hot air is supplied and returned, and opens/closes the respective openings. The connection duct 125 and the open/close mechanism 209 are provided on the top of the container 200. The open/close mechanism opens the respective openings from a closed state when it is push-pressed by the declining connection duct 125 and closes the respective openings from the opened state when the push pressure is released by the elevating connection duct.

Description

  The present invention heats and cleans dishes after washing with hot air, especially in a situation where a relatively large amount of dishes such as dishes, bowls, trays, etc. are used, such as school lunches and hospital meals. Further, the present invention relates to a tableware disinfection storage device that performs disinfection.

  The following are known as such conventional tableware disinfection storage devices.

  The top plate of the container is provided with an exhaust port and an air supply port communicating with the storage chamber. Further, a bellows-like expansion / contraction tube (connection tube) is suspended downward from the bottom of the hot air supply / discharge unit, and the expansion / contraction tube is connected to the exhaust port and the air supply port via the exhaust tube and the air supply tube. At the lower end of the exhaust pipe and the supply pipe, there are provided a connection port connected to the exhaust port and the supply port of the container stopped below the hot air supply / discharge unit, and this connection port has a handle provided on the outer periphery of the exhaust port. The exhaust pipe and the air supply pipe extended downward are fixed by rotating the connection port after engaging with the vertical groove of the L-shaped notch provided in the air supply opening and engaging with the horizontal groove of the notch. To do. Further, after the disinfection operation is completed, the exhaust pipe and the air supply pipe are removed, and the air supply port and the exhaust port of the container are each sealed with an appropriate lid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The connecting pipe includes a supply path that supplies the hot air supply unit toward the container, and a discharge path that discharges the atmosphere in the container toward the hot air supply unit. Furthermore, the connection pipe which is bellows-like and can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction has a double-pipe structure. A connecting pipe is extended from the hot air supply unit main body and attached to a connecting port at the top of the container (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-1115441 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-248777

  However, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a worker attaches a connection pipe (duct) that becomes a hot air circulation path to the container side before the start of the sterilization operation, and after the sterilization operation ends, the container side It is necessary to remove the connecting pipe from Furthermore, it is necessary to remove and attach the lid that closes the connection port of the container communicating with the connection pipe.

  Since the connection port is on the top plate portion of the container, it is difficult for the operator to see the connection port, and it takes time and labor to attach and remove the connection pipe and the lid, and there is a problem with the reliability of this operation. . In particular, the arrangement described in Patent Document 1 is troublesome because of the configuration in which each of the individual connection pipes is attached to the container side.

  In addition, if the container connection port is not sealed with a lid after the disinfection operation is completed, large containers, dust, etc., may enter the container from the connection port when storing, transporting, or moving the container. The effect of drying and disinfection such as entering tableware is lost, which is not preferable. It may be possible to improve the workability by allowing the operator to open and close the lid of the container connection port with a lever or the like. However, if this work is not performed, the same problems as described above are encountered.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and eliminates the need to open and close the opening of the container serving as the hot air supply path and the return path, and securely opens the opening after disconnecting the hot air circulation unit from the container. An object of the present invention is to provide a tableware disinfection storage device capable of transporting and moving a container in a state in which the effect of dry disinfection is maintained by blocking the container.

The tableware disinfection storage device of the present invention includes a container for storing tableware, a hot air circulation unit that supplies hot air to the container and circulates the hot air through a connection duct between the container and the hot air circulation unit. A tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus that performs circulation operation and performs heating / disinfection of tableware in the container,
A connection duct that is provided in the hot air circulation unit and that can freely move up and down, and an open / close mechanism that opens and closes the supply path and the return path while communicating with the connection duct and that opens and closes the supply path and the return path are provided on the upper surface of the container. The opening / closing mechanism receives the pressing force of the connecting duct that descends to open the supply path and the return path from closed to open, and opens the supply path and return path by releasing the pressing force of the connecting duct that rises. It is characterized by being closed.

  According to the tableware disinfection storage device of the present invention, it is unnecessary to open and close the opening of the container that is the hot air supply path and the return path, and the opening is securely closed after the hot air circulation unit and the container are disconnected. Thus, the container can be transported and moved while maintaining the effect of dry disinfection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The general-view perspective view which shows the whole at the time of the connection of the hot air circulation unit of the tableware heating disinfection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, and a container. The front block diagram at the time of disconnection of the hot air circulation unit of a tableware heating disinfection apparatus and a container. The side block diagram of the tableware heating disinfection apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the hot air circulation unit of FIG. 2. The partially expanded sectional view at the time of the rise of the connection duct of a hot-air circulation unit. The partial expanded sectional view at the time of the descent of a connection duct. The partial expanded sectional view at the time of the descent of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the raise detection part of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the descent | fall detection part of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the raising / lowering means of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the safety detection part of the raising / lowering means. The partial perspective view of the safety detection part of the raising / lowering means. The upper surface perspective view at the time of disconnection of a hot air circulation unit and a container at the time of the opening used as the supply path and return path of a hot air of a container opening and closing mechanism being closed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line AA in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line BB in FIG. 13. The cross-section block diagram of the opening-closing mechanism in the direction equivalent to the AA line of FIG. 13 at the time of the opening used as a supply path and a return path of a hot air at the time of a container connection with a hot-air circulation unit at the time of a transition from closed to open. The cross-section block diagram of the opening-closing mechanism in the direction equivalent to the BB line of FIG. 13 at the time of the opening used as a supply path and a return path of a hot air at the time of a container connection with a hot-air circulation unit at the time of a transition from closed to open. The front block diagram at the time of operation | movement of the tableware heating disinfection apparatus after the connection with a hot-air circulation unit and a container is completed. The top surface perspective view of the opening-and-closing mechanism when the opening used as the supply path and return path of hot air in FIG. 18 is open. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line CC in FIG. 19. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line DD in FIG. 19.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a container for storing tableware, a hot air circulation unit for supplying and circulating hot air to the container, and a connection duct between the container and the hot air circulation unit are provided. A tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus that performs hot air circulation operation to heat and disinfect tableware in the container, the connection duct being provided in the hot air circulation unit and capable of moving up and down, and the connection duct communicating with the hot air An opening / closing mechanism that configures a supply path and a return path and opens and closes the supply path and the return path is provided on an upper surface portion of the container, and the opening / closing mechanism receives the pressing force of the connecting duct that descends, and receives and supplies the supply path and the return path The tableware heating and disinfecting apparatus is characterized in that the supply path and the return path are closed from open to closed by releasing the pushing pressure of the connecting duct that rises. Than is.

  This eliminates the need to open and close the opening of the container that serves as the supply path and return path for hot air, and after the connection between the hot air circulation unit and the container is released, the opening is reliably closed and the effect of drying and disinfection is maintained. You can transport and move containers.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the dish heating according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing mechanism receives a pressing force due to the weight of the connecting duct descending to open each opening from closed to open. This is a disinfection device.

  Thereby, each opening can be changed from closed to open only by the weight of the connection duct. Therefore, a mechanism for forcibly applying the pressing force is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the connection duct has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder and an elevating outer cylinder provided outside the elevating inner cylinder. The tube is used as a return path for hot air from the container, and between the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder as a hot air supply path to the container, and the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder are integrated by a connecting member so that they can be raised and lowered simultaneously. The tableware heating disinfection device is characterized by the above.

  As a result, the connection duct can be reduced in size and simplified, and can be lifted and lowered together.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telescopic outer cylinder that is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder and is bendable in the vertical direction, and in the cylinder length direction of the elevating inner cylinder. A tableware heating and disinfecting apparatus characterized in that a fixed inner cylinder is continuously provided with an overlapping portion, and the connecting inner duct is slidable in the vertical direction using the fixed inner cylinder as a guide so that the connection duct can be raised and lowered. Is.

  As a result, among the elevating inner cylinder and elevating outer cylinder, only the elevating inner cylinder is slid using the fixed inner cylinder as a guide to raise and lower the connection duct, thereby simplifying the configuration and facilitating assembly during manufacturing. In addition, the connection duct can be raised and lowered more smoothly.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing mechanism includes an elevating plate that can move up and down in a vertical direction, and an elevating plate that serves as a hot air return path from the container to the hot air circulation unit. And an opening / closing plate that opens and closes the opening provided in the lifting plate, and when the lifting plate is lowered, the opening / closing plate is slid horizontally to open the opening provided in the lifting plate from the closed state. In addition, the tableware heating disinfection device is characterized in that an opening serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit to the container is formed by the downward movement of the lifting plate from the opening on the container upper surface. It is.

  Thereby, both the return path of hot air and the supply path of hot air can be simultaneously and reliably opened from closed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lifting plate is urged upward by the urging means and can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. The connecting duct descends in response to the pressing force of the connecting duct against the biasing force, and when the connecting duct is lifted, the pressing pressure of the connecting duct is released, and the lifting plate is lifted by the upward biasing force by the biasing means. The tableware heating disinfection device is a feature.

  Thereby, a raising / lowering board can be reliably raised / lowered by the presence or absence of transmission / reception of the pushing pressure of a connection duct. Furthermore, both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path can be simultaneously and reliably opened from the closed state.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the upper case and the lower case fixedly provided with a predetermined interval, and the upper case and the lower case can be vertically moved up and down. An elevating plate, a horizontally slidable open / close plate that opens and closes an opening provided in the elevating plate, a horizontally slidable slide plate included in the lower case, and a pivot that supports the open / close plate and the slide plate A first link mechanism configured by connecting with a connecting plate via a member, and a second link mechanism configured by connecting the elevating plate and the slide plate with a connecting plate via a rotation fulcrum member, The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus is characterized by sliding the opening / closing plate through the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism by raising / lowering the lifting plate.

  Thereby, the moving distance of the opening / closing plate in the sliding direction can be increased with respect to the ascending / descending distance of the connection duct, the area of the opening serving as the return path of the hot air can be set large, and the hot air passage resistance can be reduced. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein when the elevating plate is in the raised position, the connecting plates included in the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. The tableware heating and disinfecting apparatus is characterized in that it is characterized in that

  This facilitates the rotation of the connecting plate at the start of the lowering of the elevating plate, and smoothly moves the open / close plate and the slide plate so that both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path are reliably opened from the closed state. be able to.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the lift plate is provided with two openings and has an opening and closing plate for opening and closing each opening, and each opening and closing plate is slid. A tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus comprising a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism, wherein the opening / closing plates are opened and closed by sliding the opening / closing plates in directions toward and away from each other. is there.

  Thereby, the area of the opening which becomes a return path of hot air can be set larger, and the passage resistance of hot air can be reduced. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein when the connecting duct is lowered, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder contacts the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism, The tableware heating and disinfecting apparatus is characterized in that the lower end of the container is in contact with the upper surface of the container.

  Thereby, the raising / lowering plate of the opening / closing mechanism receives the pressing force of the connecting duct only from the lower end portion of the descending inner cylinder, and can open both the return path of hot air and the supply path of hot air from closed to open. In addition, the configuration can be simplified.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein when the position of the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is below the position of the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder and the connecting duct is lowered, the elevating inner cylinder The tableware heating is characterized in that the lower end portion of the elevating plate comes into contact with the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism and is lowered, the elevating plate is lowered by a predetermined distance, and then the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder comes into contact with the upper surface portion of the container. This is a disinfection device.

  Thus, for example, when the container is stopped not in a predetermined position but greatly shifted in the horizontal direction with respect to the hot air circulation unit, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is placed on the upper surface portion of the container in the descending process of the connection duct. It comes into contact and stops descending and does not descend until the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder contacts the upper surface of the container.

  Observe this state to understand the connection failure of the connection duct to the container, raise the connection duct once, adjust the stop position of the container to the predetermined position, and then lower the connection duct again to make a normal connection Can do.

  Therefore, it becomes easier for the operator to check the connection status of the connection duct to the container step by step, and the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder always lowers the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism so that both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path Can be reliably opened from closed.

  Furthermore, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is always in contact with the elevating plate, and the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container, so that the sealing of these contact portions can be ensured and hot air leakage can be prevented. .

  Invention of Claim 12 is invention of any one of Claims 5-11. WHEREIN: The outer periphery of the flange which has in the lower end part of a raising / lowering inner cylinder rather than the opening part which has in the top plate of a container over a perimeter. The tableware heating and disinfecting apparatus is characterized by having a predetermined size reduced.

  Thereby, if the container is stopped within the range of the predetermined size with respect to the hot air circulation unit, the lower end portion of the rising / lowering inner cylinder always comes into contact with the top plate (upper surface portion) of the container and the descent does not stop. It is possible to reliably lower both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path from closed to open by lowering the lifting plate of the opening / closing mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to give a margin to the deviation of the container stop position with respect to the hot air circulation unit, and to facilitate and speed up the container stop operation.

  Hereinafter, a tableware disinfection storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the solid line arrow in a figure shows the flow direction of a hot air.

  First, the basic structure of the tableware disinfection storage apparatus of this invention is demonstrated. The tableware sterilization storage apparatus of the present invention has a connection duct 125 that can be roughly moved up and down as shown mainly in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and a hot air circulation unit 100 that generates hot air. And a container 200 for storing tableware that has an opening that communicates with the connection duct 125 and that serves as a hot air supply path and a return path, and that includes an opening / closing mechanism 209 that opens and closes each opening. Consists of.

  In the hot air circulation unit 100, a main body case 101 and a front door 102 constitute an outer shell, a substrate 103 is fixed inside, and a blower case 104 is provided thereon. The inside of the blower case 104 is divided into upper and lower parts by a partition plate 105, and a blower chamber 107 is formed above the partition plate 105 and a blower blade 108 is located. The blower blade 108 is fixed to a rotating shaft of a motor 109 fixed on the blower case 104.

  In addition, a heat exchange chamber 110 is configured below the partition plate 105, and a sheathed heater 111 serving as a heating unit is located. A plurality of discharge ports 106 are formed in the partition plate 105, and air (hot air returning from the container 200) flows from the blower chamber 107 to the heat exchange chamber 110 through the discharge ports 106 and is heated by the sheathed heater 111. It becomes hot air.

  The fixed inner cylinder 112 is fixed to the partition plate 105 in accordance with the central axis of the blower blade 108, and air (hot air returning from the container 200) is sucked from the fixed inner cylinder 112 by the blower blade 108.

  Next, a basic configuration of the connection duct 125 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the hot air circulation unit 100 when the connection duct 125 is raised, and corresponds to a front configuration diagram and a side view before operation of the tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus of FIGS. The state in the position (at the time of disconnection of the hot-air circulation unit 100 and the container 200) which is not connected to the container 200 by raising the connection duct 125 by the raising / lowering means is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is made larger than the outer diameter of the fixed inner cylinder 112, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is continuously provided with overlapping portions in the cylinder length direction of the fixed inner cylinder 112. The fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 are sealed by a ring-shaped convex member 114 fixed to the upper end of the elevating inner cylinder 113, and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is convex using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide. It is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the member 114.

The convex member 114 provided at a part of the overlapping portion between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is made of a sliding material having a low sliding resistance such as a resin material. Thereby, sliding of the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 with respect to the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 can be made smooth.

  Further, the inner diameter of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is made larger than the outer diameter of the fixed inner cylinder 112, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is provided continuously with overlapping portions in the cylinder length direction of the fixed inner cylinder 112. The distance between the outer surface of the cylinder 112 and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is set to, for example, 3 to 5 mm over the entire circumference, and the convex member 114 is inserted into the interval between the overlapping portions. .

  In addition, the convex member 114 may be fixed to the lowermost end portion on the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112, and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 may slide on the fixed convex member 114. In this case as well, the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 can be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  Further, the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide, but the inner diameter of the fixed inner cylinder 112 is larger than the outer diameter of the elevating inner cylinder 113. The outer surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 may be slid in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the inner surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide. In this case as well, the outer surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 can be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the inner surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  A flange 115 having an enlarged diameter outward is provided at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113, and a ring-shaped packing 116 is fixed to the lower surface thereof. The inside of the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 serves as a return path 117 for sucking hot air supplied from the hot air circulation unit 100 described later to the container 200 by the blower blades 108 and returning the hot air to the hot air circulation unit 100 again.

  Further, it has a fixed outer cylinder 118 that is located outside the fixed inner cylinder 112 and has an upper end fixed to the substrate 103, and a telescopic cylinder 119 that can be bent in the vertical direction via a flange 118a at the lower end of the fixed outer cylinder 118. Further, the lower end of the telescopic cylinder 119 is connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120. A flange 121 is fixed to the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120, and a ring-shaped packing 122 is fixed to the lower surface of the flange 121.

  The telescopic cylinder 119 is formed, for example, from a heat-resistant resin sheet in a bellows shape in the vertical direction. Thereby, it becomes free to bend (extends and contracts) in the vertical direction, enables the elevating outer cylinder 120 to be raised and lowered, and constitutes a supply path for hot air supplied from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200.

  A telescopic cylinder 119 that is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and that can be bent in the vertical direction is provided, and a connection duct 125 in which the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are integrated by a connecting plate 123 is provided only for the fixed inner cylinder 112. Is moved up and down as a guide.

  The telescopic cylinder 119 can be bent in the vertical direction and can also be bent in the radial direction, so that the elevating inner cylinder 113 constituting the connection duct 125 can be easily attached to the fixed inner cylinder 112. Further, it is possible to ensure the degree of freedom of inclination of the connection duct 125 with respect to the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the fixed outer cylinder 118 within a predetermined range.

  The outer surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the inner surface of the elevating outer cylinder 120 are integrally fixed by a plurality of plate-like connecting members 123 arranged in the circumferential direction. As a result, the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are configured to be capable of being moved up and down integrally with the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a central axis.

  Note that the plurality of plate-like connecting members 123 can exert a rectifying action of hot air flowing downward through the interval between the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120.

  With respect to the vertical position of the flange 121 and packing 122 held at the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder 120, the vertical position of the flange 115 and packing 116 provided at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is set downward, and It has a step.

  The distance between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the fixed outer cylinder 118, the distance between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the telescopic cylinder 119, and the distance between the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are as follows. The supply path 124 supplies hot air from the heat exchange chamber 110 to the container 200.

  When the connection duct 125 is raised, the elevating inner cylinder 113 rises along the fixed inner cylinder 112 via the convex member 114, and the elevating outer cylinder 120 fixed integrally by the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the connecting member 123 also rises. . At this time, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the elevating outer cylinder 120 is contracted with the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  As described above, the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 constitute the connecting duct 125 that can be raised and lowered. The connection duct 125 has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder 113 and an elevating outer cylinder 120 provided outside the elevating inner cylinder 113, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is connected to a return path 117 for hot air from the container 200, The space between the cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 is used as a hot air supply path 124 to the container, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are integrated by a connecting member 123 so that they can be raised and lowered simultaneously.

  As a result, the connection duct 125 can be reduced in size and simplified, and can be lifted and lowered together.

  In addition, an expansion / contraction outer cylinder 119 is provided which is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and can be bent in the vertical direction, and the fixed inner cylinder 112 is continuously provided so as to overlap each other in the cylinder length direction of the elevating inner cylinder 113. The connecting duct 125 can be raised and lowered by sliding the elevating inner cylinder 113 in the vertical direction using the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  As a result, among the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120, only the elevating inner cylinder 113 is slid using the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide to raise and lower the connection duct 125, thus simplifying the configuration and assembling at the time of manufacture. The connecting duct 125 can be lifted and lowered more smoothly.

  The connecting duct 125 that can be moved up and down connects the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 to form a circulation path for circulating hot air.

  Although the telescopic cylinder 119 is provided between the fixed outer cylinder 118 and the elevating outer cylinder 120, the upper end of the telescopic cylinder 119 may be directly fixed to the substrate 103 and the fixed outer cylinder 118 may not be provided.

  Further, when the lower surfaces of the flanges 115 and 121 provided at the lower ends of the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are mirror surfaces, when the connection duct 125 is in the raised position, the top plate 204 and the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 are It is projected on the bottom.

  Accordingly, by transporting the container 200 below the hot air circulation unit 100 and lowering the connection duct 125, the top plate 204 and the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 are reflected on the lower surface of the flanges 115 and 121. Visually, it is easier to adjust the movement of the container 200 to a predetermined position, and the container 200 can be correctly stopped at the predetermined position.

  6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the hot air circulation unit 100 when the connection duct 125 is lowered, and corresponds to the perspective view and the front view of the tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus shown in FIGS. The state of the position where 125 is lowered and connected to the container 200 is shown.

  When the connecting duct 125 is lowered by the raising / lowering means described later, the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 is lowered along the fixed inner cylinder 112 via the convex member 114, and the raising / lowering outside fixed integrally with the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 and the connecting member 123 is performed. The cylinder 120 is also lowered. At this time, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in a state of being extended with the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the connecting duct when the connecting duct 125 is lowered. When the connecting duct 125 of FIG. 7 is lowered, the convex member 114 provided at the upper end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is formed at the lower end of the fixed inner cylinder 112. Since the overlapping portion of the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is reduced, the vertical center of the elevating inner cylinder 113 with respect to the vertical center axis of the fixed inner cylinder 112 is a predetermined angle (θ). It is possible to tilt in the range.

  Further, since the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is flexible, the elevating outer cylinder 120 fixed integrally by the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the connecting member 123 is also the same. Inclination is possible within a predetermined angle (θ). As a result, the connection duct can be securely connected even if the container is inclined due to the floor surface condition.

  Even when the connection duct 125 shown in FIG. 5 is raised, the distance between the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is, for example, 3 over the entire circumference because the convex member 114 is inserted. Thus, the connection duct 125 can be inclined at a predetermined angle in a range where the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 contacts the outer surface of the lower end of the fixed inner cylinder 112.

  In the present embodiment, the fixed inner cylinder 112, the fixed outer cylinder 118, the elevating inner cylinder 113, the telescopic cylinder 119, and the elevating outer cylinder 120 have a quadrangular cross section, and the opposite sides are the front and rear sides of the tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus. And the connection duct 125 constituted by the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 can be inclined in a range of a predetermined angle (θ) to each of the opposite sides. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the fixed inner cylinder 112, the fixed outer cylinder 118, the elevating inner cylinder 113, the telescopic cylinder 119, and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are rectangular in cross section, but the invention is not limited to this, and the pentagon or more The polygonal shape or circular shape can be used.

  In addition, a telescopic cylinder 119 that can be bent in the vertical direction via a flange 118a is connected to the lower end of the fixed outer cylinder 118. Further, the lower end of the telescopic cylinder 119 is connected to the flange 120a of the elevating outer cylinder 120, Although the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the cylinder 112 as a guide, it overlaps with each other in the cylinder length direction of the fixed outer cylinder 118 without using the telescopic cylinder 119. The fixed outer cylinder 118 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are sealed by a convex member fixed to the upper end of the elevating outer cylinder 120, and the outer surface of the fixed outer cylinder 118 is raised and lowered as a guide. The inner surface of the outer cylinder 120 may be configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114.

  Next, the basic structure of the raising / lowering means for raising and lowering the connection duct 125 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 8 to 10.

  In the following description, the configuration of the tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is the front, the horizontal direction is left and right, the vertical direction is the top and bottom, and the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a connecting plate 126 is fixed to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120, and a fixing plate 127 is fixed to the connecting plate 126. Further, one side of wires 128 a and 128 b made of metal strands is fixed to the fixing plate 127.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the units of the left and right connecting plates 126, the fixing plate 127, and the wires 128 a and 128 b are provided at symmetrical positions in the left and right direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (left and right direction of the elevating outer cylinder 120). Is.

  FIG. 10 shows a part of the wire winding portion. The other end of the wire 128a is fixed to the two rows of grooves 130 formed in the pulley 129, and the other end of 128b is fixed to the groove 131, respectively. A rib 132 is formed on one side of the pulley 129 to be fixed to the rotating shaft. The rib 132 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the geared motor 133 shown in FIGS. The geared motor 133 is fixed to the blower case 104.

  The wire 128a fixed to the fixing plate 127 on one side is directly inserted into the groove 130 of the pulley 129, and the wire 128b fixed to the fixing plate 127 on the other side passes through the groove 135 of the guide pulley 134. It is inserted into the groove 131. The rotation shaft of the guide pulley 134 is fixed to a part of the main body case 101.

  The geared motor 133 and the wires 128a and 128b constitute lifting means for lifting and lowering the connection duct 125.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an elevation detection plate 136 is fixed to the connecting plate 126, and as the connection duct 125 rises, the elevation detection plate 136 hits the lever 138 of the elevation detection switch 137 from below, and the lever 138 The electric circuit included in the ascent detection switch 137 is turned on and off by the rotation on the free end side. Note that the ascent detection switch 137 is positioned at a part of the wire 128 a extending from the fixed plate 127 to the pulley 129 in the vertical direction, and is fixed to a part of the main body case 101.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, the rise detection switch 137 detects the rise of the connection duct 125 and electrically controls the geared motor 133 to regulate the rise position of the connection duct 125.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the elevation detection plate 136 and the elevation detection switch 137 are provided at symmetrical positions in the horizontal direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (the horizontal direction of the elevation cylinder 120), and the elevation detection switch 137 is fixed. The wire 128b from the plate 127 to the pulley 129 is also located at a part in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, as the connection duct 125 is lowered, the lifting detection plate 136 hits the lever 140 of the lowering detection switch 139 from the upper side, and the electric power of the lowering detection switch 139 by the rotation of the lever 140 on the free end side. Turn the circuit on and off.

  The lowering detection switch 139 is located at a part of the wire 128 a from the fixed plate 127 to the pulley 129 in the vertical direction, and is fixed to a part of the main body case 101.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the elevation detection plate 136 and the lowering detection switch 139 are provided at symmetrical positions in the left-right direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (left-right direction of the elevation outer cylinder 120), and the lowering detection switch 139 is fixed. The wire 128b from the plate 127 to the pulley 129 is also located at a part in the vertical direction.

  In the state shown in FIG. 9, the lowering detection switch 139 detects the lowering of the connection duct 125 and electrically controls the geared motor 133 to regulate the lowering position of the connection duct 125.

  Next, the structure of the safety detection part of the raising / lowering means is demonstrated. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are partial perspective views of the safety detection unit of the lifting / lowering means for moving the connection duct 125 up and down. A conductive contact plate 142 fixed to one end side of the conductive connecting plate 141 is positioned so as to surround the vertical wire 128a extending from the fixed plate 127 to the pulley 129, and a contact detection switch is connected to the other end side of the connecting plate 141. 143 is provided.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the wire 128 a is not in contact with the contact plate 142. The connection duct 125 is lowered by the weight of the connection duct 125 under the control of the geared motor 133. At this time, the wires 128a and 128b are pulled downward by the weight of the connection duct 125, and are straight and substantially straight in the vertical direction.

  The connecting plate 141, the contact plate 142, and the contact detection switch 143 are fixed to a part of the main body case 101, and are provided at symmetrical positions in the horizontal direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (the horizontal direction of the elevating outer cylinder 120). The wire 128b extending from 127 to the pulley 129 is also located in a part in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 12 shows a state in which the wire 128 a or 128 b is in contact with the contact plate 142. This shows a state in which a connection duct 125 described later is not normally connected to the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 and has not been lowered to a predetermined fixed position.

  In a situation where the container 200 is not stopped at a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, the wire 128a or 128b is loosened when the connection duct 125 does not normally descend to a predetermined position. 142 is contacted. At this time, a predetermined current flows between the conductive wires 128a and 128b and the contact detection switch 143, and this is sent as a detection signal to a controller (not shown) that controls the entire apparatus, and the geared motor 133 is turned off. And

  Further, if the connection duct 125 is not normally connected to the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 and has not been lowered to a predetermined fixed position, the hot air circulation operation of the hot air circulation unit 100 is not started, and a lamp indicating a poor connection or Notification is made by a notification means (not shown) such as voice.

  In this case, the connection duct 125 is once raised, the container 200 is stopped at a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, and then the connection duct 125 is lowered again under the control of the geared motor 133.

  Further, the connection duct 125 is suspended by the wires 128a and 128b, and the connection duct 125 is lifted and lowered by winding and unwinding the wires 128a and 128b by driving the geared motor 133. The detection means 137 and 139 detect the geared motor 133 to control the drive, and the connection duct 125 is stopped at a predetermined position. When the connection duct 125 does not descend to the predetermined position, the looseness of the wires 128a and 128b is detected. The rotation of the geared motor 133 is stopped, and notification is given by the notification means.

  Accordingly, the connection duct 125 is reliably stopped at a predetermined position, and when the connection duct 125 does not descend to the predetermined position, the operator can grasp and correct the stop position of the container 200 with respect to the hot air circulation unit 100.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the hot air circulation unit 100, a suction cylinder 144 having an opening 145 facing the outside air is provided in the fixed inner cylinder 112 so as to penetrate the fixed outer cylinder 118. The outside air is mixed with the air sucked from the outside and sucked by the blower blades 108.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an exhaust pipe 146 having one end opened to the air blowing chamber 107 and the other end facing the outside air is provided. The exhaust pipe 146 detects the temperature of the circulating hot air to the outside air. And a thermally responsive damper 147 for opening and closing the passage.

  Although not shown, the hot air circulation unit 100 includes a motor 109, a sheathed heater (heating means) 111, a geared motor (elevating means) 133, an ascent detection switch (elevation detecting part) 137, a descending detection switch (elevation detecting part). 139, a contact detection switch (safety detection unit) 143, a controller for controlling the notification unit and the like as a whole. The operation is performed by a remote controller.

  2 and 3, the entire hot air circulation unit 100 is fixed to the ceiling 148 of the building via a suspension member 149.

  Next, the basic operation of the hot air circulation unit 100 in a state where the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is not connected to the container 200 (at the time of disconnection) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 8. I will explain.

  In this state, for example, when the tableware 208 after washing is stored in the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the container 200 is moved to a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, drying and disinfection operations using hot air are performed. This corresponds to the situation when the connection duct 125 is lifted and the connection with the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is released.

  The pulley 129 is rotated by driving a geared motor 133 included in the hot air circulation unit 100, and the wires 128 a and 128 b wound around the grooves 130 and 131 are wound up. At this time, the connecting duct 125 constituted by the elevating inner cylinder 113 integrated with the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the connecting member 123 is raised through the fixing plates 127 to which the lower ends of the wires 128a and 128b are fixed. The elevating inner cylinder 113 rises through the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  As the connection duct 125 rises, the upper surface of the lift detection plate 136 fixed to the connecting plate 126 via the flange 120a of the lift outer cylinder 120 comes into contact with the lower surface of the lever 138 of the lift detection switch 137, and the lever 138 is rotated a predetermined angle. When moved, the electrical contact of the lift detection switch 137 is opened, the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned off, and the winding of the wires 128a and 128b is stopped.

  At this time, although the weights (mass) of the suspended connection duct 125 are applied to the wires 128a and 128b, the connection duct 125 holds the position where the driving of the geared motor 133 is turned off by the brake of the geared motor 133. The mass of the connection duct 125 is, for example, 15 to 30 kg.

  Further, as the elevating outer cylinder 120 of the connection duct 125 rises, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is contracted with the flange 118 a of the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  In the state where the connection duct 125 is held at the raised position, the energization to the motor 109, the sheathed heater (heating means) 111, the geared motor 133, etc. is turned off, and the operation of the hot air circulation unit 100 is stopped. Is.

  Next, the basic configuration of the container 200 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 13 to 15 in a state where the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is not connected to the container 200 (when the connection is released). The description will be given with reference.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container 200 forms a rectangular outline with a substrate 201 at the bottom, a side plate case 202 in the left-right direction, an open / close door 203 in the front-rear direction, and a top plate 204 on the top surface. . A plurality of wheels 201 a that allow the container 200 to move are attached to the four corners of the substrate 201.

  Further, a plurality of shelves 206 are provided in the vertical direction of the storage space 205 in the container 200, and both left and right end portions are respectively held by the side plate case 202. The shelf 206 is composed of a plurality of rod-like bodies or net-like members, and is configured to allow passage of hot air. Each shelf 206 can be adjusted to the side plate case 202 in the height direction. Yes.

  On the plurality of shelves 206 are placed a plurality of bowls 207 that store dishes 208 such as dishes, bowls, and trays. The basket 207 is put in and out of the container 200 by opening or closing one or both of the doors 203 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the container 200 can store food cans and the like included as the above-mentioned tableware.

  In addition, openings 204a of the top plate 204, which is the upper surface of the container 200, are provided with openings 216 and 217 that communicate with the connection duct 125 of the hot air circulation unit 100 and serve as hot air supply paths and return paths, respectively. An opening / closing mechanism 209 that opens and closes the openings 216 and 217 is provided. The opening / closing mechanism 209 is provided at a substantially central portion of the top plate 204 of the container 200 as viewed from above.

  Next, a basic configuration of the opening / closing mechanism 209 included in the container 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 show a state where the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 are not connected via the connection duct 125 (when the connection is released).

The opening / closing mechanism 209 includes an upper case 210 fixed to the inner surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200, and a lower case 211 disposed at a predetermined distance from the upper case 210. The upper case 210 and the lower case 211 are arranged at four corners. It is fixed via four circular supports 212 provided.
A compression coil spring (biasing means) 213 is wound around the outer surface of the support 212.

  In addition, an opening 204a is formed at the center of the top plate 204 of the container 200, and an opening 210a having substantially the same dimensions as the opening 204a is formed in the upper case 210.

  The elevating plate 214 is positioned at the opening 210a, and the elevating guide member 215 is fixed to the outer periphery of the elevating plate 214. The four support members 212 are passed through holes formed at the four corners of the lift plate 214, and the lift plate 214 and the lift guide member 215 integrated along the four support members 212 are configured to be movable up and down. is doing.

  Further, the compression coil spring 213 is positioned between the lower surface of the elevating guide member 215 and the upper surface of the lower case 211, and the elevating guide member 215 integrated with the elevating plate 214 is urged toward the upper case 210 side (upper side). Yes.

  The elevating plate 214 is formed with openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100 at the center, and the opening 216 and the opening 217 are separated by a central partition member 218.

  In addition, open / close plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the openings 216 and 217 are provided, and slide guides 221 and 222 having U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a along the slide direction of the open / close plates 219 and 220 are fixed to the lift plate 214. It is.

  The opposite ends of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are inserted into the U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a facing each other, and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are configured to be slidable along the U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a.

  Further, the lower case 211 has an opening 211a formed in the central portion at a position facing both the openings 216 and 217 formed in the elevating plate 214, and a U-shaped groove in the same direction as the slide guides 221 and 222. Slide guides 223 and 224 having 223a and 224a are positioned on both sides of the opening 211a and fixed to the lower case 211.

  The opposite ends of the slide plates 225 and 232 are inserted into U-shaped grooves 223a and 224a facing each other, and the slide plates 225 and 232 are configured to be slidable along the U-shaped grooves 223a and 224a. The opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide plates 225 and 232 are configured to be slidable in the same direction.

  Both sides of each of the opening / closing plate 219 and the slide plate 225 are connected by a connecting plate 226 via hinges 227a and 227b and hinges 228a and 228b, which are rotating fulcrum members, and constitute a first link mechanism 250a. The hinges 227a and 227b are located on the opening / closing plate 219 in the direction opposite to the central partition member 218.

  Further, one side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 225 is connected by a connecting plate 229a via hinges 230a and 231a, and the other side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 225 is connected via hinges 230b and 231b. Are connected by a connecting plate 229b to constitute a second link mechanism 251a.

  The connecting plate 226 and the connecting plates 229a and 229b are positioned so as to face each other at angles of θ1 and θ2 with respect to the vertical direction.

  Further, both sides of the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232 are connected by a connecting plate 233 via hinges 234a and 234b and hinges 235a and 235b to constitute a first link mechanism 250b. The hinges 234a and 234b are located on the opening / closing plate 220 in the direction opposite to the central partition member 218.

  Further, one side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 232 is connected by a connecting plate 236a via hinges 237a and 238a, and the other side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 232 is connected via hinges 237b and 238b. Are connected by a connecting plate 236b to constitute a second link mechanism 251b.

  The connecting plate 233 and the connecting plates 236a and 236b are positioned so as to face each other at angles of θ1 and θ2 with respect to the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 17, 19, and 21, the connection plates 229 a, 229 b, and 236 a, 236 b are disposed outside the connection plates 226, 233, respectively. The opening 211a formed in the lower case 211 serves as a hot air circulation path.

  In addition, a torsion coil spring (not shown) as an urging means is attached to each hinge that is a rotation fulcrum member used for the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b.

  The openings 216 and 217, the opening and closing plates 219 and 220, the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b, and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are arranged symmetrically with the central partition member 218 as the center.

  In addition, although the hinge was used as a rotation fulcrum member, it is not limited to this, For example, you may comprise by the plate-shaped or linear bending member which has elasticity.

  Next, the state of the opening / closing mechanism 209 when the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is not connected to the container 200 (when the connection is released) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A compression coil spring 213 positioned between the lower surface of the elevating guide member 215 and the upper surface of the lower case 211 causes the elevating guide member 215 integrated with the elevating plate 214 to have a predetermined biasing force toward the upper case 210 (upper side). The upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper case 210. The elevating plate 214 integrated with the elevating guide member 215 is also stopped at a position almost flush with the top plate 204.

  In addition, the open / close plates 219 and 220 fitted and guided in the U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a of the slide guides 221 and 222 fixed to the lift plate 214 are also in the raised position, and the center side of the open / close plates 219 and 220 Is in contact with the central partition member 218.

  At this time, both sides of the opening / closing plate 219 and the slide plate 225 are connected by a connecting plate 226 via hinges 227a, 227b and hinges 228a, 228b to form a first link mechanism 250a, and the center of the opening / closing plate 219 The end on the side is urged by a torsion coil spring provided on the hinges 227a, 227b, 228a, 228b and abuts against the central partition member 218.

  Further, both sides of the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232 are connected by a connecting plate 233 via hinges 234a, 234b and hinges 235a, 235b to constitute a first link mechanism 250b, and the central side of the opening / closing plate 220 These ends are biased by the torsion coil springs provided on the hinges 234a, 234b, 235a, and 235b and are in contact with the central partition member 218.

  As a result, the openings 216 and 217 of the lifting plate 214 are closed by the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  The inclination angle (θ1) of the connecting plates 226 and 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b may be 5 to 30 degrees, for example, and is set to 25 degrees in the present embodiment. Therefore, the angle between the opening / closing plate 219 and the connecting plate 226, and between the opening / closing plate 220 and the connecting plate 233 is 65 degrees.

  Further, the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b may be, for example, 5 to 30 degrees, and is set to 25 degrees in the present embodiment. is doing. Therefore, the angle between the lifting plate 214 and the connecting plates 229a, 229b, and 236a, 236b is 65 degrees.

  Further, the distance in the vertical direction between the open / close plates 219 and 220 and the slide plates 225 and 232 is the maximum.

  In addition, since each of the hinges 227a, 227b, 228a, 228b has a torsion coil spring, it is biased so that the inclination angle (θ1) of the connecting plate 226 becomes small. In other words, the urging force to change the connecting plate 226 in the vertical direction acts.

  In addition, since each of the hinges 230a, 230b, 231a, and 231b has a torsion coil spring, the hinges 230a, 230b, 231a, and 231b are biased so as to reduce the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting plates 229a and 229b. That is, an urging force that is intended to change in the vertical direction acts on the connecting plates 229a and 229b.

  One ends of the connecting plates 229a and 229b are fixed via hinges 230a and 230b with the lifting plate 214 side, which is not a slidable member such as the opening / closing plate 219 and the slide plate 225, as a fixed end. As a result, the slide plate 225 slidable (slidable) along the slide guides 223 and 224 is in a stationary state at a predetermined position.

  Further, as described above, since each of the hinges 227a, 227b, 228a, 228b has a torsion coil spring, an urging force for changing the connecting plate 226 in the vertical direction acts. Yes. In addition, the slidable slide plate 225 is stationary at a predetermined position.

  As a result, a biasing force is applied to the opening / closing plate 219 that is moved to and in contact with the central partition member 218 to move further to the central partition member 218 side. Therefore, the opening / closing plate 219 is pressed against the central partition member 218, so that the opening 216 can be reliably closed.

  Further, both sides of the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232 are connected by a connecting plate 233 via hinges 234a, 234b and hinges 235a, 235b to constitute a first link mechanism 250b, and the central side of the opening / closing plate 220 These ends are biased by the torsion coil springs provided on the hinges 234a, 234b, 235a, and 235b and are in contact with the central partition member 218.

  Further, since each of the hinges 234a, 234b, 235a, 235b has a torsion coil spring, the hinge 234a is biased so that the inclination angle (θ1) of the connecting plate 233 becomes small. In other words, the urging force that attempts to change the connecting plate 233 in the vertical direction is acting.

  Further, since each of the hinges 237a, 237b, 238a, 238b has a torsion coil spring, the hinges 237a, 236b are biased so as to reduce the inclination angle (θ2). That is, an urging force that is intended to change in the vertical direction acts on the connecting plates 236a and 236b.

  One ends of the connecting plates 236a and 236b are fixed via hinges 237a and 237b with the lifting plate 214 side, which is not a slidable member such as the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232, as a fixed end. As a result, the slide plate 232 that is slidable (slidable) along the slide guides 223 and 224 is in a stationary state at a predetermined position.

  Further, as described above, since each of the hinges 237a and 237b has a torsion coil spring, an urging force for changing the connecting plate 233 in the vertical direction acts. In addition, the slidable slide plate 232 is stationary at a predetermined position.

  As a result, an urging force for further moving toward the central partition member 218 acts on the opening / closing plate 220 that is moved toward and in contact with the central partition member 218. Therefore, the opening / closing plate 220 is pressed against the central partition member 218, and the opening 217 can be reliably closed.

  As described above, in a state where the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 are not connected via the connection duct 125 (when the connection is released), the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 performs hot air from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100. Openings 216 and 217 serving as return paths are closed and closed by opening and closing plates 219 and 220, respectively.

  In addition, the lifting plate 214 is in the raised position, and the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 is substantially flush with the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200, and closes the opening 204a.

  Further, the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper case 210. As a result, the opening 239 (see FIGS. 16, 17, 20, and 21) serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is closed and closed.

  Next, a process of connecting the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a hot air circulation unit is used to place a container 200 containing a predetermined number of baskets 207 with tableware 208 in a storage space 205 so that the opening / closing mechanism 209 and the connection duct 125 face each other. Transport to a predetermined position below 100 and stop. The stop position of the container 200 may be displayed by aligning the four corners of the substrate 201 with the position of the floor corresponding to the position of the hot air circulation unit 100.

  The position in the height direction (vertical direction) between the stopped container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100 is determined in advance by the distance between the lower surface of the packing 122 on the flange 121 of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200. For example, it is set to about 300 mm.

  Next, the process of lowering the connection duct 125 of the hot air circulation unit 100 and connecting it to the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. 16 and 17 show a process in the middle of the connection duct 125 being in contact with the opening / closing mechanism 209 and continuing to descend.

  After the container 200 is stopped at a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, the geared motor 133 of the hot air circulation unit 100 is driven by an operation of a remote controller (not shown), and the connection duct 125 suspended by the wires 128a and 128b. Is lowered by its own weight. Note that the mass of the connection duct 125 is, for example, 15 to 30 kg.

  In the lowering process of the connecting duct 125, first, after the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 which is the lower end portion of the lifting inner cylinder 113 constituting the connecting duct 125 contacts the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, the lifting plate 214, The upper case 210 receives a pressing force due to the weight of the connection duct 125 and is pushed down against the urging force of the compression coil spring 213.

  As the elevating plate 214 is lowered, the slide guides 221 and 22 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also lowered. At this time, the packing 122 provided on the flange 121 which is the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is not yet in contact with the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200.

  The opening and closing plates 219 and 220 held by the slide guides 221 and 222 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also lowered after the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the elevating inner tube 113 comes into contact with the upper surface of the elevating plate 214. To do.

  The distance between the elevating plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 that are lowered and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 at a fixed position is reduced, and the first link mechanism 250a and the first link are reduced. The connecting plates 226 and 233 constituting the mechanism 250b change in the horizontal direction by increasing the inclination angle from θ1 to θ3, respectively.

  Further, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b increase in the inclination angle from θ2 to θ4 and change in the horizontal direction.

  The connection plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are fixed at one end to the lifting plate 214 (fixed end side) via hinges 230a, 230b, 237a, and 237b, and the other end is connected The slide plates 225 and 232 are slidable via hinges 231a, 231b, 238a and 238b. Accordingly, the slide plates 225 and 232 move by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the descending distance of the elevating plate 214.

  The connection plates 226 and 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b are fixed at one end to slidable opening and closing plates 219 and 220 via hinges 227a, 227b, 234a and 234b, and the other ends are hinges 228a. Slidable slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed via 228b, 235a and 235b. Therefore, the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 slide and move the slide guides 221 and 222 in a direction away from the central partition member 218 in correlation with the descending distance of the lifting plate 214.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the descending distance of the elevating plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Due to the movement of the slide plates 225 and 232 constituting the mechanisms 250a and 250b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Will do.

  Accordingly, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the descending distance of the elevating plate 214 is moved by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. This is the sum of the movement distances of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  As the elevating plate 214 is lowered, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is in a state in which the openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100 are closed and closed by the opening and closing plates 219 and 220, respectively. Transition from open to open.

  Further, as the elevating plate 214 descends, the elevating plate 214 moves downward from the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200 (for example, a distance H1 in FIGS. 16 and 17). Further, the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 is separated from the lower surface of the upper case 210. As a result, the opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is closed and shifted from the closed state to the open state.

  Next, the state where the connection duct 125 of the hot air circulation unit 100 is lowered to the final position and is connected to the opening / closing mechanism 209 and the top plate 204 of the container 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 18, 19, 20, and 21. explain.

  The connection duct 125 further descends, and in the final lowered position, the distance between the lift plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 in the fixed position are as follows. Further decreasing, the connecting plates 226, 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b further increase in inclination angle from θ3 and change in a substantially horizontal direction.

  Further, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b change in a substantially horizontal direction with an inclination angle increased further from θ4.

  By the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b, the slide plates 225 and 232 move by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the final lowering distance of the elevating plate 214.

  Further, the first link mechanisms 250 a and 250 b cause the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 to slide the slide guides 221 and 222 away from the central partition member 218 in correlation with the final lowering distance of the lifting plate 214. The openings 216 and 217 are fully opened.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 move by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the final lowering distance of the lifting plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Due to the movement of the slide plates 225 and 232 constituting the two link mechanisms 251a and 251b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanism 251b. Will do.

  Therefore, the movement distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the final lowering distance of the lifting plate 214 is equal to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. The movement distance of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 that are moved by the above is added.

  In the final lowered position of the lifting plate 214, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 has the openings 216, 217 serving as hot air return paths from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100 being fully opened by the movement of the opening / closing plates 219, 220, respectively. Become.

Further, at the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214, the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 is maximally separated from the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200 (distance H2 in FIGS. 20 and 21).
Further, the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 is maximally separated from the lower surface of the upper case 210. As a result, the opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is fully opened.

  Further, the packing 122 of the flange 121 integrated with the elevating outer cylinder 120 comes into contact with the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200. Further, as the elevating outer cylinder 120 is lowered, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in a state of extending between the flange 118 a of the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  At the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214, the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 receives a pressing force which is the mass (self-weight) of the connection duct 125 through the hollow and elastic packing 116, 122 made of rubber or the like. It is.

  The separation distance between the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 and the lower surface of the upper case 210 corresponds to approximately 65 mm, which is the total lowering distance of the lifting plate 214.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b with the lifting plate 214 as a base point is approximately 54 mm, respectively, and the slide plate 225 by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b. The maximum movement distances of the open / close plates 219 and 220 with respect to 232 are approximately 54 mm, respectively.

  Therefore, the maximum movement distances of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are each approximately 108 mm.

  In the present embodiment, the sizes of the openings 216 and 217 are 106 mm in the direction along the movement of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220, and 220 mm in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220, respectively. It is configured in a rectangular shape.

  In the embodiment, the total lowering distance from the lowering start position of the lifting plate 214 due to the contact of the packing 116 of the flange 115 to the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214 is set to about 65 mm.

  Furthermore, the connection duct 125 is set to approximately 365 mm with the total descending distance from the descending start to the final descending position. When the container 200 is moved below the hot air circulation unit 100, the distance of 300 mm between the lower surface of the packing 122 of the flange 115 and the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200 is approximately 65 mm, which is the total descending distance of the lifting plate 214. Is added.

  Further, when the connecting duct 125 is lowered, the lower surface of the lifting detection plate 136 fixed to the connecting plate 126 via the flange 120a of the lifting outer cylinder 120 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lever 140 of the lowering detection switch 139, and the lever 140 is moved at a predetermined angle. When rotated, the electrical contact of the lowering detection switch 139 is opened, the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned OFF, and the rewinding of the wires 128a and 128b is stopped. As a result, the final lowering position of the connection duct 125 is restricted, and the lowering operation of the connection duct 125 is finished.

  The connection duct 125 stops at the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214, but the electric contact of the lowering detection switch 139 is opened almost simultaneously with the lowering stop of the connection duct 125 and the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned off. Yes. More specifically, the geared motor 133 is further driven for a short time by the control means after the electric contact of the lowering detection switch 139 is opened, and the driving of the geared motor 133 is turned off with the wires 128a and 128b slightly loosened. is there.

  As described above, the opening / closing mechanism 209 includes the elevating plate 214 that can move up and down in the vertical direction, the openings 216 and 217 provided in the elevating plate as a return path of hot air from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100, and the elevating plate 214. Opening and closing plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the openings provided in the upper and lower plates, and when the lifting plate 214 is lowered, the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are slid horizontally to open the opening 216 and 217 provided in the lifting plate 214 from the closed state. In addition, an opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is formed by the downward separation of the elevating plate 214 from the opening 204a provided on the upper surface portion of the container 200.

  Thereby, both the return path of hot air and the supply path of hot air can be simultaneously and reliably opened from closed.

  Further, the elevating plate 214 is urged upward by the urging means 213 and can be moved up and down. When the connecting duct 125 is lowered, the elevating plate 214 resists the urging force of the urging means 213 and pushes the connecting duct 125. When the connection duct 125 rises, the pressure of the connection duct 125 is released, and the lifting plate 214 is raised by the upward biasing force of the biasing means 213.

  Thereby, the raising / lowering plate 214 can be reliably raised / lowered by the presence or absence of transmission / reception of the connection duct 125. Furthermore, both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path can be simultaneously and reliably opened from the closed state.

  Further, the upper case 210 and the lower case 221 fixedly arranged with a predetermined interval, the elevating plate 214 that can be moved up and down between the upper case 210 and the lower case 221, and the openings 216 and 217 provided in the elevating plate 214. Opening and closing plates 219 and 220 slidable in the horizontal direction for opening and closing the sliding plate, slide plates 225 and 232 slidable in the horizontal direction of the lower case 221, and pivot points of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 and the sliding plates 225 and 232. The first link mechanisms 250a and 250b configured by connecting the connecting plates 226 and 233 through the members, the elevating plate 214 and the slide plates 225 and 232 are connected to the connecting plates 229a, 229b, and 236a through the rotation fulcrum members. Second link mechanisms 251a and 251b configured to be coupled by 236b. Via the preliminary second link mechanism, which is the opening and closing plate 219 and 220 as it is slid.

  Thereby, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 in the sliding direction is increased with respect to the ascending / descending distance of the connection duct 125, the areas of the openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths are set large, and the hot air passage resistance is reduced. can do. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

  Further, when the elevating plate 214 is in the raised position, the connection plates 226, 233, 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b included in the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are predetermined with respect to the vertical direction. The angle is inclined.

  As a result, the connecting plates 226, 233, 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b can be easily rotated when the elevating plate 214 starts to descend, and the open / close plates 219 and 220 and the slide plates 225 and 232 are smoothly moved to generate hot air. Both the return path and the hot air supply path can be reliably opened from the closed state.

  In addition, the first and second link mechanisms 250a and 250b are provided with two openings 216 and 217 in the elevating plate 214 and open / close plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the respective openings 216 and 217, and sliding the respective open / close plates 219 and 220. And the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b, and the respective opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are slid in directions toward and away from each other to open and close the respective openings 216 and 217.

  Thereby, the area of the openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths can be set larger, and the hot air passage resistance can be reduced. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

  Further, when the connecting duct 125 is lowered, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is in contact with the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, and the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container 200. .

  As a result, the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 receives the pressing force of the connection duct 125 only from the lower end portion of the descending inner cylinder 113 to open both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path from closed to open. be able to. In addition, the configuration can be simplified.

  Further, when the position of the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is lower than the position of the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the connection duct 125 is lowered, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 becomes the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209. After lowering by contacting and lowering the elevating plate 214 by a predetermined distance, the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container 200.

  As a result, for example, when the container 200 is stopped not in a predetermined position but greatly displaced in the horizontal direction with respect to the hot air circulation unit 100, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is placed in the container in the descending process of the connection duct 125. The lowering is stopped by contacting the upper surface portion of the container 200, and does not descend until the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 contacts the upper surface portion of the container 200.

  By observing this state, grasping the connection failure of the connection duct 125 to the container 200, raising the connection duct 125 once, adjusting the stop position of the container 200 to a predetermined position, and then lowering the connection duct 125 again. It can be connected normally.

  Therefore, it becomes easy for an operator to check the connection state of the connection duct 125 to the container 200 in order, and the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 always lowers the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 so as to return the hot air return path and hot air. Both supply paths can be reliably opened from closed.

  In addition, the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is always in contact with the elevating plate 214, and the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in contact with the upper surface of the container 200 to ensure the sealing of these contact parts and prevent leakage of hot air. can do.

  Further, the outer circumference of the flange 115 provided at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is smaller than the opening 204a provided in the top plate 204 of the container 200 by a predetermined dimension (for example, approximately 50 mm) over the entire circumference. Thereby, if the container 200 is stopped within the range of a predetermined dimension with respect to the hot air circulation unit 100, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 always comes into contact with the top plate 204 (upper surface portion) of the container and the descent stops. Therefore, the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 can be reliably lowered to open both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path from closed to open.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a margin for the shift of the stop position of the container 200 with respect to the hot-air circulation unit 100, thereby facilitating and speeding up the stop operation of the container 200. In addition, even if the container 200 is stopped within a predetermined size range, the flange 115 provided at the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 does not block the openings 216 and 217.

  Next, the operation after the connection between the connection unit of the hot air circulation unit 100 and the opening / closing mechanism 209 is completed will be described.

  First, the air blowing motor 109 and the sheathed heater 111 of the hot air circulation unit 100 are energized. The air in the storage unit 205 of the container 200 is sucked through the openings 216 and 217 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 of the connection duct 125, and the return path 117 of the fixed inner cylinder 112 by the rotation of the blower blades 108.

  The sucked air enters the heat exchange chamber 110 from the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107 and is heated by the sheath heater 111 to become hot air, between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the fixed outer cylinder 118, and between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the telescopic cylinder. 119, an opening formed through the supply path 124 between the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120, and further by the downward movement of the elevating plate 214 from the opening 204 a provided on the upper surface portion of the container 200. 239 is blown into the storage unit 205.

  The hot air blown into the storage unit 205 flows down and flows through the outer side of the storage unit 205 to contact the tableware 208, and the opening 216 provided in the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 from the center of the storage unit 205, A circulation flow that flows toward 217 is formed. At this time, since the opening / closing mechanism 209 is positioned at a substantially central portion of the top plate 204 of the container 200 as viewed from above, hot air is blown uniformly from the opening 239 to the outer side of the storage portion 205 over the entire circumference. The hot air that has been lowered and blown out can form a stable circulating flow that flows toward the openings 216 and 217 located in the center of the storage portion 205. Therefore, hot air uniformly contacts all tableware in the storage unit 205, and drying and disinfection can be performed efficiently.

  The hot air circulated in the storage unit 205 is sucked by the blower blades 108 from the openings 216 and 217 provided in the lift plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 through the return passage 117 of the lift inner tube 113 and the fixed inner tube 112 and stored in the container 200. It circulates between the part 205 and the hot air circulation unit 100.

  Hot air is generated from the start of energization to the blower motor 109 and the sheathed heater 111, and the temperature of the hot air circulating gradually rises while raising the temperature of the storage unit 205 of the container 200, the tableware 208, the bowl 207, etc. The temperature reaches about 90 degrees C in about 20 to 30 minutes (for example, hot air temperature at the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107).

  During this time, for example, the temperature of the hot air at the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107 is detected by a temperature detector (for example, a thermistor, not shown), and the sheathed heater 111 is energized so that the temperature of the hot air does not exceed about 90 degrees C. ON / OFF control. The energization of the sheathed heater 111 is not limited to ON / OFF control, and the power may be controlled steplessly.

  The hot air circulation operation is continued between the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100 for about 90 minutes after reaching the hot air temperature of about 90 degrees C. Also during this time, the temperature detector detects the temperature of the hot air, controls the energization to the sheathed heater 111, and keeps the temperature of the circulating hot air at a temperature of about 90 degrees C.

  By continuing the operation of hot air circulation between the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100, the water adhering to the inner wall of the storage unit 205, the tableware 208, and the bowl 207 is evaporated and the hot air is used. Disinfect.

  Note that when the temperature of hot air gradually circulates from the start of energization to the blower motor 109 and the sheathed heater 111, for example, when the hot air temperature at the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107 reaches a temperature of approximately 60 degrees C. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the thermally responsive damper 147 provided in the exhaust cylinder 146 having one end opened to the air blowing chamber 107 and the other end facing the outside air is operated. This opens the passage to the outside air.

  When the thermally responsive damper 147 is activated to open the passage to the outside air, a part of the circulating hot air flows into the outside air, and at the same time, the outside air enters the fixed outer cylinder 118 from the opening 145 of the suction cylinder 144 shown in FIG. It is sucked and mixed with hot air sucked from the container 200.

  Thus, the humidity of the circulating hot air is suppressed to a predetermined value or less, and the evaporation of water adhering to the inner wall of the storage unit 205, the tableware 208, and the bowl 207 is promoted.

  After the hot air circulation operation is continued for about 90 minutes between the inside of the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100, the energization to the sheathed heater 111 is turned off and the energization to the air blowing motor 109 is further turned on for about 5 minutes. Turn off after continuing for a minute, and stop hot air circulation operation.

  Next, after the hot air circulation operation is stopped between the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100, the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is connected to the container 200 from the connection duct 125. The process of lifting the connection and releasing the connection will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, and 21.

  First, the pulley 129 is rotated by driving the geared motor 133, the wires 128 a and 128 b wound around the grooves 130 and 131 are taken up, and the connection duct 125 is raised.

  At this time, the connecting duct 125 constituted by the elevating outer cylinder 120 via the respective fixing plates 127 to which the lower ends of the wires 128 a and 128 b are fixed, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 integrated with the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the connecting member 123. To raise. The elevating inner cylinder 113 rises through the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  In the ascending process of the connection duct 125, the openings 216 and 217 which are hot air return paths and the supply path 239 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 are connected from the fully opened state as shown in FIGS. A compression coil spring in which the elevating plate 214 and the upper case 210 are biasing means while the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the elevating inner cylinder 113 constituting the duct 125 is in contact with the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209. It rises by the urging force of 213.

  As the elevating plate 214 is raised, the slide guides 221 and 22 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also raised. The distances between the ascending / descending plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 at a fixed position increase, and the first link mechanism 250a and the first link are increased. The connecting plates 226 and 233 constituting the mechanism 250b change in the vertical direction with the inclination angle decreasing from approximately horizontal to θ3.

  In addition, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanism 251a and the second link mechanism 251b decrease in inclination angle from approximately horizontal to θ4 and change in the vertical direction.

  One end of each of the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, 236b constituting the second link mechanism 251b is fixed to the lifting plate 214 via hinges 230a, 230b, 237a, 237b, and the other ends are hinges 231a, 231b, 238a, 238b. The slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in relation to the rising distance of the lift plate 214. .

  The connection plates 226, 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b are fixed at one end to the opening / closing plates 219, 220 via hinges 227a, 227b, 234a, 234b and the other ends at the hinges 228a, 228b, 235a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed via 235b, the open / close plates 219 and 220 are correlated with the ascending distance of the lift plate 214 in the direction in which the slide guides 221 and 221 approach each other toward the central partition member 218 side. 222 is slid and moved.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in correlation with the ascending distance of the elevating plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. By moving the slide plates 225 and 232 that also constitute the mechanisms 250a and 250b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Will do.

  Accordingly, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the rising distance of the elevating plate 214 is moved by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. This is the sum of the movement distances of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  As described above, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is fully opened by the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 in the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 as the return path of the hot air from the container 200 to the hot-air circulation unit 100 as the elevating plate 214 rises. It shifts from being in the closing direction.

Further, as the elevating plate 214 rises, the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 approaches the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200 (for example, the distance H1 in FIGS. 16 and 17).
As a result, the distance in the height direction of the opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 decreases, and the state moves from the fully open state to the closing direction.

  Note that the packing 122 provided on the flange 121 of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is separated from the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200 almost simultaneously with the start of ascent of the connection duct 125.

  As the connecting duct 125 further rises, the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the lifting inner cylinder 113 constituting the connecting duct 125 moves away from the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209. The elevating plate 214 and the upper case 210 are raised by the urging force of the compression coil spring 213, and the state shown in FIGS.

  As the elevating plate 214 is raised, the slide guides 221 and 222 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also raised. The distances between the ascending / descending plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 in a fixed position are increased, and the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b are configured. The connecting plates 226 and 233 to be moved change in the vertical direction with the inclination angles decreasing from θ3 to θ1.

  Further, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b decrease in the inclination angle from θ4 to θ2 and change in the vertical direction.

  One end of each of the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a, 251b is fixed to the lifting plate 214 via hinges 230a, 230b, 237a, 237b, and the other ends are hinges 231a, 231b, 238a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed to the slide plates 225 and 232 via 238b, the slide plates 225 and 232 slide the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in relation to the rising distance of the lift plate 214. Moving.

  The connection plates 226, 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b are fixed at one end to the opening / closing plates 219, 220 via hinges 227a, 227b, 234a, 234b and the other ends at the hinges 228a, 228b, 235a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed via 235b, the open / close plates 219 and 220 are correlated with the ascending distance of the lift plate 214 in the direction in which the slide guides 221 and 221 approach each other toward the central partition member 218 side. The opening 216 and 217 are closed by the opening / closing plates 219 and 220.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in correlation with the ascending distance of the elevating plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Due to the movement of the slide plates 225 and 232 constituting the mechanisms 250a and 250b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Will do.

  Accordingly, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the rising distance of the elevating plate 214 is moved by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. This is the sum of the movement distances of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  When the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the elevating inner cylinder 113 constituting the connection duct 125 is separated from the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is moved from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit. Openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths to 100 are fully closed by opening and closing plates 219 and 220, respectively.

  Further, as the elevating plate 214 is raised, the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 becomes substantially flush with the opening 204a provided in the top plate 204 of the container 200, and the upper surface of the elevating guide member 215 integrated with the elevating plate 214 is raised. It contacts the lower surface of the case 210. As a result, the opening 239 serving as the hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is fully closed.

  As the connection duct 125 further rises, the upper surface of the elevation detection plate 136 fixed to the connecting plate 126 via the flange 120a of the elevation outer cylinder 120 contacts the lower surface of the lever 138 of the elevation detection switch 137 as shown in FIG. When the lever 138 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the electrical contact of the lift detection switch 137 is opened, the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned off, and the winding of the wires 128a and 128b is stopped.

  At this time, the wires 128a and 128b are suspended by the weight (mass) of the connection duct 125, but the connection duct 125 turns off the drive of the geared motor 133 by the brake of the geared motor 133. Hold position.

  Further, as the elevating outer cylinder 120 of the duct 125 rises, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is contracted with the flange 118 a of the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  After the drying and disinfection operation by hot air is finished and the connection duct 125 is lifted to release the connection with the container 200, the container 200 is moved from the school lunch center for cleaning, drying, and disinfection of dishes through storage, for example. It will be transported to school for eating.

  In the present embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 209 is provided with two openings 216 serving as a return path for hot air. However, when there is a margin in the hot air passage resistance, the opening is defined as one opening and this opening is the first link. The opening / closing plate may be slid by the mechanism and the second link mechanism to be opened and closed.

  In addition, the opening / closing plate that opens and closes the opening serving as the return path for hot air is slid by the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism. However, when there is a margin in the hot air passage resistance, only the first link mechanism is used. The opening / closing plate may be slid. In this case, one of the connecting plates of the first link mechanism is fixed to the opening / closing plate via the rotation fulcrum member, and the other end of the connecting plate is fixed to the lower case of the opening / closing mechanism 209 via the rotation fulcrum member. Fix as side.

  The connecting duct 125 has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder and an elevating outer cylinder provided outside the elevating inner cylinder. The elevating inner cylinder is a return path for hot air from the container, the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder. The hot air supply path to the container is used as a connection path, but each of the hot air return path and the supply path may be a connection duct formed of a single cylindrical body, and the connection duct may be moved up and down.

  As described above, the container 200 for storing dishes, the hot air circulation unit 100 that supplies hot air to the container 200 and circulates it, and the hot air circulation between the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100 via the connection duct 125. The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus of the present invention that operates and heats and disinfects tableware in the container 200 includes a connection duct 125 that is provided in the hot air circulation unit 100 and can be moved up and down, and communicates with the connection duct 125 to supply hot air. An opening / closing mechanism 209 that constitutes an opening serving as a path and a return path and that opens and closes each opening is provided on the upper surface of the container 200. The opening / closing mechanism 209 receives the pressing force of the connecting duct 125 that descends, and opens each opening. The opening is closed to the opening, and each opening is closed from the opening by releasing the pressing force of the rising connection duct 125.

  This eliminates the need to open and close the opening that serves as the hot air supply path and return path of the container 200, and after the connection between the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 is released, the opening is reliably closed to achieve the effect of drying and disinfection. Containers can be transported and moved in a maintained state.

  In addition, the opening / closing mechanism 209 receives the pressing force due to the weight of the connecting duct 125 that descends, and opens each opening from closed. Thereby, each opening can be changed from closed to open only by the dead weight of the connection duct 125. Therefore, a mechanism for forcibly applying the pressing force is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Hot-air circulation unit 101 Main body case 102 Front door 103 Substrate 104 Blower case (blower means)
105 Partition plate 106 Discharge port 107 Blower chamber (Blower unit)
108 Blower (Blower)
109 Motor (air blowing means)
110 Heat exchange chamber 111 Seed heater (heating means)
112 Fixed inner cylinder 113 Elevating inner cylinder 114 Convex member 115 Flange 116 Packing 117 Return path (hot air circulation path)
118 fixed outer cylinder 118a flange 119 telescopic cylinder 120 elevating outer cylinder 120a flange 121 flange 122 packing 123 connecting member 124 supply path (hot air circulation path)
125 Connection duct (hot air circulation path)
126 connecting plate 127 fixing plate 128a wire (lifting means)
128b wire (lifting means)
129 Pulley 130 Groove 131 Groove 132 Rib 133 Geared motor (lifting means)
134 Guide pulley 135 Groove 136 Elevation detection plate 137 Elevation detection switch (elevation detection section)
138 Lever 139 Descent detection switch (Elevation detection unit)
140 Lever 141 Connecting plate 142 Contact plate 143 Contact detection switch (safety detection unit)
144 Suction cylinder 145 Opening 146 Exhaust cylinder 147 Thermally responsive damper 148 Ceiling part 149 Hanging member 200 Container 201 Substrate 201a Wheel 202 Side plate case 203 Opening / closing door 204 Top plate 204a Opening part 205 Storage space 206 Shelf 207 Bowl 208 Tableware 210 Opening / closing mechanism 210 Upper case 210a Opening 211 Lower case 211a Opening 212 Support body 213 Compression coil spring 214 Lifting plate 215 Lifting guide member 216 Opening (return path, hot air circulation path)
217 Opening (return path, hot air circulation path)
218 Central partition member 219 Opening and closing plate 220 Opening and closing plate 221 Slide guide 221a U-shaped groove 222 Slide guide 222a U-shaped groove 223 Slide guide 223a U-shaped groove 224 Slide guide 224a U-shaped groove 225 Slide plate 226 Connecting plate 227a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
227b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
228a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
228b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
229a connecting plate 229b connecting plate 230a hinge (rotating fulcrum member)
230b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
231a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
231b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
232 Slide plate 233 Connecting plate 234a Hinge (rotating fulcrum member)
234b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
235a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
235b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
236a connecting plate 236b connecting plate 237a hinge (rotating fulcrum member)
237b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
238a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
238b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
239 Opening (supply path, hot air circulation path)
250a First link mechanism 250b First link mechanism 251a Second link mechanism 251b Second link mechanism

  The present invention heats and cleans dishes after washing with hot air, especially in a situation where a relatively large amount of dishes such as dishes, bowls, trays, etc. are used, such as school lunches and hospital meals. Further, the present invention relates to a tableware disinfection storage device that performs disinfection.

  The following are known as such conventional tableware disinfection storage devices.

  The top plate of the container is provided with an exhaust port and an air supply port communicating with the storage chamber. Further, a bellows-like expansion / contraction tube (connection tube) is suspended downward from the bottom of the hot air supply / discharge unit, and the expansion / contraction tube is connected to the exhaust port and the air supply port via the exhaust tube and the air supply tube. At the lower end of the exhaust pipe and the supply pipe, there are provided a connection port connected to the exhaust port and the supply port of the container stopped below the hot air supply / discharge unit, and this connection port has a handle provided on the outer periphery of the exhaust port. The exhaust pipe and the air supply pipe extended downward are fixed by rotating the connection port after engaging with the vertical groove of the L-shaped notch provided in the air supply opening and engaging with the horizontal groove of the notch. To do. Further, after the disinfection operation is completed, the exhaust pipe and the air supply pipe are removed, and the air supply port and the exhaust port of the container are each sealed with an appropriate lid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The connecting pipe includes a supply path that supplies the hot air supply unit toward the container, and a discharge path that discharges the atmosphere in the container toward the hot air supply unit. Furthermore, the connection pipe which is bellows-like and can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction has a double-pipe structure. A connecting pipe is extended from the hot air supply unit main body and attached to a connecting port at the top of the container (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-1115441 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-248777

  However, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a worker attaches a connection pipe (duct) that becomes a hot air circulation path to the container side before the start of the sterilization operation, and after the sterilization operation ends, the container side It is necessary to remove the connecting pipe from Furthermore, it is necessary to remove and attach the lid that closes the connection port of the container communicating with the connection pipe.

  Since the connection port is on the top plate portion of the container, it is difficult for the operator to see the connection port, and it takes time and labor to attach and remove the connection pipe and the lid, and there is a problem with the reliability of this operation. . In particular, the arrangement described in Patent Document 1 is troublesome because of the configuration in which each of the individual connection pipes is attached to the container side.

  In addition, if the container connection port is not sealed with a lid after the disinfection operation is completed, large containers, dust, etc., may enter the container from the connection port when storing, transporting, or moving the container. The effect of drying and disinfection such as entering tableware is lost, which is not preferable. It may be possible to improve the workability by allowing the operator to open and close the lid of the container connection port with a lever or the like. However, if this work is not performed, the same problems as described above are encountered.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and eliminates the need to open and close the opening of the container serving as the hot air supply path and the return path, and securely opens the opening after disconnecting the hot air circulation unit from the container. An object of the present invention is to provide a tableware disinfection storage device capable of transporting and moving a container in a state in which the effect of dry disinfection is maintained by blocking the container.

The tableware disinfection storage device of the present invention includes a container for storing tableware, a hot air circulation unit that supplies hot air to the container and circulates the hot air through a connection duct between the container and the hot air circulation unit. A tableware disinfection storage device for circulating operation and heating and disinfecting tableware in the container,
A connection duct that is provided in the hot air circulation unit and that can freely move up and down, and an open / close mechanism that opens and closes the supply path and the return path while communicating with the connection duct and that opens and closes the supply path and the return path are provided on the upper surface of the container. The opening / closing mechanism includes an elevating plate that is movable up and down, an opening provided in the elevating plate that serves as a return path of hot air from the container to the hot air circulation unit, and an opening / closing plate that opens and closes the opening provided in the elevating plate. And when the lifting plate is lowered by receiving the pressing force of the descending connection duct, the opening and closing plate is slid in the horizontal direction to open the opening provided in the lifting plate from the closed state to the upper surface of the container. An opening serving as a supply path of hot air from the hot air circulation unit to the container is formed by the downward movement of the lifting plate from the opening provided in the section .

  According to the tableware disinfection storage device of the present invention, it is unnecessary to open and close the opening of the container that is the hot air supply path and the return path, and the opening is securely closed after the hot air circulation unit and the container are disconnected. Thus, the container can be transported and moved while maintaining the effect of dry disinfection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The general-view perspective view which shows the whole at the time of the connection of the hot air circulation unit of the tableware disinfection storage apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, and a container. The front block diagram at the time of disconnection of the hot air circulation unit of a tableware disinfection storage apparatus , and a container. The side block diagram of the tableware disinfection storage apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the hot air circulation unit of FIG. 2. The partially expanded sectional view at the time of the rise of the connection duct of a hot-air circulation unit. The partial expanded sectional view at the time of the descent of a connection duct. The partial expanded sectional view at the time of the descent of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the raise detection part of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the descent | fall detection part of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the raising / lowering means of a connection duct. The partial perspective view of the safety detection part of the raising / lowering means. The partial perspective view of the safety detection part of the raising / lowering means. The upper surface perspective view at the time of disconnection of a hot air circulation unit and a container at the time of the opening used as the supply path and return path of a hot air of a container opening and closing mechanism being closed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line AA in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line BB in FIG. 13. The cross-section block diagram of the opening-closing mechanism in the direction equivalent to the AA line of FIG. 13 at the time of the opening used as a supply path and a return path of a hot air at the time of a container connection with a hot-air circulation unit at the time of a transition from closed to open. The cross-section block diagram of the opening-closing mechanism in the direction equivalent to the BB line of FIG. 13 at the time of the opening used as a supply path and a return path of a hot air at the time of a container connection with a hot-air circulation unit at the time of a transition from closed to open. The front block diagram at the time of the operation | movement of the tableware disinfection storage apparatus after the connection with a hot air circulation unit and a container is completed. The top surface perspective view of the opening-and-closing mechanism when the opening used as the supply path and return path of hot air in FIG. 18 is open. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line CC in FIG. 19. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an opening / closing mechanism taken along line DD in FIG. 19.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a container for storing tableware, a hot air circulation unit for supplying and circulating hot air to the container, and a connection duct between the container and the hot air circulation unit are provided. A tableware disinfection and storage device that performs hot air circulation operation and heats and disinfects dishes in the container, and includes a connection duct that is provided in the hot air circulation unit and that can freely move up and down; An opening / closing mechanism that configures a supply path and a return path and that opens and closes the supply path and the return path is provided on an upper surface of the container, and the opening / closing mechanism includes a lifting plate that can be vertically moved and a container to a hot air circulation unit. And an opening / closing plate that opens and closes the opening provided in the lifting plate, and the lifting plate is lowered by the pressing force of the connecting duct that is lowered The opening / closing plate is slid horizontally to open the opening provided in the lifting plate from closed to open, and from the opening on the container upper surface to the lower side of the lifting plate from the hot air circulation unit to the container The tableware disinfection storage device is characterized in that an opening serving as a hot air supply path is formed .

  This eliminates the need to open and close the opening of the container that serves as the supply path and return path for hot air, and after the connection between the hot air circulation unit and the container is released, the opening is reliably closed and the effect of drying and disinfection is maintained. You can transport and move containers.

  Further, both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path can be simultaneously and reliably opened from the closed state.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the opening and closing mechanism receives a pressing force due to the weight of the connecting duct descending to open each opening from closed to disinfecting dishes. It is a storage device .

  Thereby, each opening can be changed from closed to open only by the weight of the connection duct. Therefore, a mechanism for forcibly applying the pressing force is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the lifting plate is biased upward by the biasing means, and the lifting plate resists the biasing force of the biasing means when the connecting duct is lowered. tableware and the lowered receives pressing force of the connection duct, the connection by pressing the pressure of the duct is released upon increase of the connecting duct, the lifting plate is characterized by elevated by the biasing force upward by the biasing means This is a disinfection storage device .

  Thereby, a raising / lowering board can be reliably raised / lowered by the presence or absence of transmission / reception of the pushing pressure of a connection duct. Furthermore, both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path can be simultaneously and reliably opened from the closed state.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the upper case and the lower case fixedly arranged at a predetermined interval, and the space between the upper case and the lower case in the vertical direction. An elevating plate that can be moved up and down, a horizontally slidable opening and closing plate that opens and closes an opening provided in the elevating plate, a horizontally slidable sliding plate included in the lower case, and the opening and closing plate and the sliding plate A first link mechanism configured by connecting with a connecting plate via a rotating fulcrum member; a second link mechanism configured by connecting the elevating plate and the slide plate with a connecting plate via a rotating fulcrum member; The tableware disinfection and storage device is characterized by sliding the opening / closing plate via the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism by raising and lowering the lifting plate.

  Thereby, the moving distance of the opening / closing plate in the sliding direction can be increased with respect to the ascending / descending distance of the connection duct, the area of the opening serving as the return path of the hot air can be set large, and the hot air passage resistance can be reduced. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, when the elevating plate is in the raised position, the connecting plates included in the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. This is a tableware disinfection storage device characterized by the above.

  This facilitates the rotation of the connecting plate at the start of the lowering of the elevating plate, and smoothly moves the open / close plate and the slide plate so that both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path are reliably opened from the closed state. be able to.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the lift plate is provided with two openings and has an opening and closing plate for opening and closing each opening, and each opening and closing plate is slid. A tableware disinfection and storage device comprising a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism, wherein each opening and closing plate is slid in a direction toward and away from each other to open and close each opening. is there.

  Thereby, the area of the opening which becomes a return path of hot air can be set larger, and the passage resistance of hot air can be reduced. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the connection duct has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder and an elevating outer cylinder provided outside the elevating inner cylinder, The tube is used as a return path for hot air from the container, and between the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder as a hot air supply path to the container, and the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder are integrated by a connecting member so that they can be raised and lowered simultaneously. This is a tableware disinfection storage device characterized by the above.

  As a result, the connection duct can be reduced in size and simplified, and can be lifted and lowered together.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an extendable outer cylinder that is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder and is bendable in the vertical direction, and in the cylinder length direction of the elevating inner cylinder. A tableware disinfection storage device characterized in that a fixed inner cylinder is provided continuously with an overlapping portion, and the connecting duct can be moved up and down by sliding the elevating inner cylinder up and down using the fixed inner cylinder as a guide. It is a thing.

  As a result, among the elevating inner cylinder and elevating outer cylinder, only the elevating inner cylinder is slid using the fixed inner cylinder as a guide to raise and lower the connection duct, thereby simplifying the configuration and facilitating assembly during manufacturing. In addition, the connection duct can be raised and lowered more smoothly.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein when the connecting duct is lowered, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder contacts the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism, and the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder is the container. The tableware disinfection and storage device is characterized by being in contact with the upper surface of the tableware .

  Thereby, the raising / lowering plate of the opening / closing mechanism receives the pressing force of the connecting duct only from the lower end portion of the descending inner cylinder, and can open both the return path of hot air and the supply path of hot air from closed to open. In addition, the configuration can be simplified.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 9 , wherein when the position of the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is below the position of the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder and the connecting duct is lowered, the elevating inner cylinder Disinfecting tableware , wherein the lower end of the elevating plate comes into contact with the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism and is lowered, the elevating plate is lowered by a predetermined distance, and then the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder comes into contact with the upper surface of the container It is a storage device .

  Thus, for example, when the container is stopped not in a predetermined position but greatly shifted in the horizontal direction with respect to the hot air circulation unit, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is placed on the upper surface portion of the container in the descending process of the connection duct. It comes into contact and stops descending and does not descend until the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder contacts the upper surface of the container.

  Observe this state to understand the connection failure of the connection duct to the container, raise the connection duct once, adjust the stop position of the container to the predetermined position, and then lower the connection duct again to make a normal connection Can do.

  Therefore, it becomes easier for the operator to check the connection status of the connection duct to the container step by step, and the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder always lowers the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism so that both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path Can be reliably opened from closed.

  Furthermore, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is always in contact with the elevating plate, and the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container, so that the sealing of these contact portions can be ensured and hot air leakage can be prevented. .

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 7 to 10 , wherein the outer periphery of the flange having the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder extends over the entire circumference rather than the opening portion having the top plate of the container. The tableware disinfection and storage device is characterized by having a predetermined size reduced.

  Thereby, if the container is stopped within the range of the predetermined size with respect to the hot air circulation unit, the lower end portion of the rising / lowering inner cylinder always comes into contact with the top plate (upper surface portion) of the container and the descent does not stop. It is possible to reliably lower both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path from closed to open by lowering the lifting plate of the opening / closing mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to give a margin to the deviation of the container stop position with respect to the hot air circulation unit, and to facilitate and speed up the container stop operation.

  Hereinafter, a tableware disinfection storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the solid line arrow in a figure shows the flow direction of a hot air.

  First, the basic structure of the tableware disinfection storage apparatus of this invention is demonstrated.

  The tableware sterilization storage apparatus of the present invention has a connection duct 125 that can be roughly moved up and down as shown mainly in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and a hot air circulation unit 100 that generates hot air. And a container for storing tableware having an opening that communicates with the connection duct 125 and serves as a hot air supply path and a return path, and an opening / closing mechanism 209 that opens and closes each opening. 200.

  In the hot air circulation unit 100, a main body case 101 and a front door 102 constitute an outer shell, a substrate 103 is fixed inside, and a blower case 104 is provided thereon. The inside of the blower case 104 is divided into upper and lower parts by a partition plate 105, and a blower chamber 107 is formed above the partition plate 105 and a blower blade 108 is located. The blower blade 108 is fixed to a rotating shaft of a motor 109 fixed on the blower case 104.

  In addition, a heat exchange chamber 110 is configured below the partition plate 105, and a sheathed heater 111 serving as a heating unit is located. A plurality of discharge ports 106 are formed in the partition plate 105, and air (hot air returning from the container 200) flows from the blower chamber 107 to the heat exchange chamber 110 through the discharge ports 106 and is heated by the sheathed heater 111. It becomes hot air.

  The fixed inner cylinder 112 is fixed to the partition plate 105 in accordance with the central axis of the blower blade 108, and air (hot air returning from the container 200) is sucked from the fixed inner cylinder 112 by the blower blade 108.

Next, a basic configuration of the connection duct 125 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the hot air circulation unit 100 when the connection duct 125 is raised, and corresponds to a front configuration diagram and a side view before operation of the tableware disinfection storage device of FIGS. 2 and 3 and will be described later. The state in the position (at the time of disconnection of the hot-air circulation unit 100 and the container 200) which is not connected to the container 200 by raising the connection duct 125 by the raising / lowering means is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is made larger than the outer diameter of the fixed inner cylinder 112, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is continuously provided with overlapping portions in the cylinder length direction of the fixed inner cylinder 112. The fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 are sealed by a ring-shaped convex member 114 fixed to the upper end of the elevating inner cylinder 113, and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is convex using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide. It is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the member 114.

The convex member 114 provided at a part of the overlapping portion between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is made of a sliding material having a low sliding resistance such as a resin material. Thereby, sliding of the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 with respect to the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 can be made smooth.

  Further, the inner diameter of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is made larger than the outer diameter of the fixed inner cylinder 112, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is provided continuously with overlapping portions in the cylinder length direction of the fixed inner cylinder 112. The distance between the outer surface of the cylinder 112 and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is set to, for example, 3 to 5 mm over the entire circumference, and the convex member 114 is inserted into the interval between the overlapping portions. .

In addition, the convex member 114 may be fixed to the lowermost end portion on the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112, and the fixed convex member 114 may be configured to slide on the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113. In this case as well, the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 can be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  Further, the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide, but the inner diameter of the fixed inner cylinder 112 is larger than the outer diameter of the elevating inner cylinder 113. The outer surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 may be slid in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the inner surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide. In this case as well, the outer surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 can be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the inner surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  A flange 115 having an enlarged diameter outward is provided at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113, and a ring-shaped packing 116 is fixed to the lower surface thereof. The inside of the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 serves as a return path 117 for sucking hot air supplied from the hot air circulation unit 100 described later to the container 200 by the blower blades 108 and returning the hot air to the hot air circulation unit 100 again.

  Further, it has a fixed outer cylinder 118 that is located outside the fixed inner cylinder 112 and has an upper end fixed to the substrate 103, and a telescopic cylinder 119 that can be bent in the vertical direction via a flange 118a at the lower end of the fixed outer cylinder 118. Further, the lower end of the telescopic cylinder 119 is connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120. A flange 121 is fixed to the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120, and a ring-shaped packing 122 is fixed to the lower surface of the flange 121.

  The telescopic cylinder 119 is formed, for example, from a heat-resistant resin sheet in a bellows shape in the vertical direction. Thereby, it becomes free to bend (extends and contracts) in the vertical direction, enables the elevating outer cylinder 120 to be raised and lowered, and constitutes a supply path for hot air supplied from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200.

  A telescopic cylinder 119 that is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and that can be bent in the vertical direction is provided, and a connection duct 125 in which the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are integrated by a connecting plate 123 is provided only for the fixed inner cylinder 112. Is moved up and down as a guide.

  The telescopic cylinder 119 can be bent in the vertical direction and can also be bent in the radial direction, so that the elevating inner cylinder 113 constituting the connection duct 125 can be easily attached to the fixed inner cylinder 112. Further, it is possible to ensure the degree of freedom of inclination of the connection duct 125 with respect to the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the fixed outer cylinder 118 within a predetermined range.

  The outer surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the inner surface of the elevating outer cylinder 120 are integrally fixed by a plurality of plate-like connecting members 123 arranged in the circumferential direction. As a result, the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are configured to be capable of being moved up and down integrally with the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a central axis.

  Note that the plurality of plate-like connecting members 123 can exert a rectifying action of hot air flowing downward through the interval between the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120.

  With respect to the vertical position of the flange 121 and packing 122 held at the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder 120, the vertical position of the flange 115 and packing 116 provided at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is set downward, and It has a step.

  The distance between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the fixed outer cylinder 118, the distance between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the telescopic cylinder 119, and the distance between the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are as follows. The supply path 124 supplies hot air from the heat exchange chamber 110 to the container 200.

  When the connection duct 125 is raised, the elevating inner cylinder 113 rises along the fixed inner cylinder 112 via the convex member 114, and the elevating outer cylinder 120 fixed integrally by the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the connecting member 123 also rises. . At this time, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the elevating outer cylinder 120 is contracted with the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  As described above, the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 constitute the connecting duct 125 that can be raised and lowered. The connection duct 125 has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder 113 and an elevating outer cylinder 120 provided outside the elevating inner cylinder 113, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is connected to a return path 117 for hot air from the container 200, The space between the cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 is used as a hot air supply path 124 to the container, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are integrated by a connecting member 123 so that they can be raised and lowered simultaneously.

  As a result, the connection duct 125 can be reduced in size and simplified, and can be lifted and lowered together.

  In addition, an expansion / contraction outer cylinder 119 is provided which is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and can be bent in the vertical direction, and the fixed inner cylinder 112 is continuously provided so as to overlap each other in the cylinder length direction of the elevating inner cylinder 113. The connecting duct 125 can be raised and lowered by sliding the elevating inner cylinder 113 in the vertical direction using the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  As a result, among the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120, only the elevating inner cylinder 113 is slid using the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide to raise and lower the connection duct 125, thus simplifying the configuration and assembling at the time of manufacture. The connecting duct 125 can be lifted and lowered more smoothly.

  The connecting duct 125 that can be moved up and down connects the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 to form a circulation path for circulating hot air.

  Although the telescopic cylinder 119 is provided between the fixed outer cylinder 118 and the elevating outer cylinder 120, the upper end of the telescopic cylinder 119 may be directly fixed to the substrate 103 and the fixed outer cylinder 118 may not be provided.

  Further, when the lower surfaces of the flanges 115 and 121 provided at the lower ends of the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are mirror surfaces, when the connection duct 125 is in the raised position, the top plate 204 and the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 are It is projected on the bottom.

  Accordingly, by transporting the container 200 below the hot air circulation unit 100 and lowering the connection duct 125, the top plate 204 and the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 are reflected on the lower surface of the flanges 115 and 121. Visually, it is easier to adjust the movement of the container 200 to a predetermined position, and the container 200 can be correctly stopped at the predetermined position.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the hot air circulation unit 100 when the connection duct 125 is lowered, and corresponds to the perspective view and the front view of the tableware disinfection storage device of FIGS. The state of the position where 125 is lowered and connected to the container 200 is shown.

  When the connecting duct 125 is lowered by the raising / lowering means described later, the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 is lowered along the fixed inner cylinder 112 via the convex member 114, and the raising / lowering outside fixed integrally with the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 and the connecting member 123 is performed. The cylinder 120 is also lowered. At this time, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in a state of being extended with the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the connecting duct when the connecting duct 125 is lowered. When the connecting duct 125 of FIG. 7 is lowered, the convex member 114 provided at the upper end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is formed at the lower end of the fixed inner cylinder 112. Since the overlapping portion of the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the elevating inner cylinder 113 is reduced, the vertical center of the elevating inner cylinder 113 with respect to the vertical center axis of the fixed inner cylinder 112 is a predetermined angle (θ). It is possible to tilt in the range.

  Further, since the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is flexible, the elevating outer cylinder 120 fixed integrally by the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the connecting member 123 is also the same. Inclination is possible within a predetermined angle (θ). Thereby, even if a container inclines with the condition of a floor surface, a connection duct can be connected reliably.

  Even when the connection duct 125 shown in FIG. 5 is raised, the distance between the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is, for example, 3 over the entire circumference because the convex member 114 is inserted. Thus, the connection duct 125 can be inclined at a predetermined angle in a range where the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 contacts the outer surface of the lower end of the fixed inner cylinder 112.

In the present embodiment, the fixed inner cylinder 112, the fixed outer cylinder 118, the elevating inner cylinder 113, the telescopic cylinder 119, and the elevating outer cylinder 120 have a quadrangular cross section, and the opposite sides are the front and rear sides of the tableware disinfection storage device. And the connection duct 125 constituted by the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 can be inclined in a range of a predetermined angle (θ) to each of the opposite sides. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the fixed inner cylinder 112, the fixed outer cylinder 118, the elevating inner cylinder 113, the telescopic cylinder 119, and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are rectangular in cross section, but the invention is not limited to this, and the pentagon or more The polygonal shape or circular shape can be used.

  In addition, a telescopic cylinder 119 that can be bent in the vertical direction via a flange 118a is connected to the lower end of the fixed outer cylinder 118. Further, the lower end of the telescopic cylinder 119 is connected to the flange 120a of the elevating outer cylinder 120, Although the inner surface of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the cylinder 112 as a guide, it overlaps with each other in the cylinder length direction of the fixed outer cylinder 118 without using the telescopic cylinder 119. The fixed outer cylinder 118 and the elevating outer cylinder 120 are sealed by a convex member fixed to the upper end of the elevating outer cylinder 120, and the outer surface of the fixed outer cylinder 118 is raised and lowered as a guide. The inner surface of the outer cylinder 120 may be configured to be slidable in the vertical direction via the convex member 114.

  Next, the basic structure of the raising / lowering means for raising and lowering the connection duct 125 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 8 to 10.

In the following description, the configuration of the tableware disinfection storage device shown in FIG. 2 is the front, the horizontal direction is left and right, the vertical direction is the top and bottom, and the configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a connecting plate 126 is fixed to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120, and a fixing plate 127 is fixed to the connecting plate 126. Further, one side of wires 128 a and 128 b made of metal strands is fixed to the fixing plate 127.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the units of the left and right connecting plates 126, the fixing plate 127, and the wires 128 a and 128 b are provided at symmetrical positions in the left and right direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (left and right direction of the elevating outer cylinder 120). Is.

  FIG. 10 shows a part of the wire winding portion. The other end of the wire 128a is fixed to the two rows of grooves 130 formed in the pulley 129, and the other end of 128b is fixed to the groove 131, respectively. A rib 132 is formed on one side of the pulley 129 to be fixed to the rotating shaft. The rib 132 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the geared motor 133 shown in FIGS. The geared motor 133 is fixed to the blower case 104.

  The wire 128a fixed to the fixing plate 127 on one side is directly inserted into the groove 130 of the pulley 129, and the wire 128b fixed to the fixing plate 127 on the other side passes through the groove 135 of the guide pulley 134. It is inserted into the groove 131. The rotation shaft of the guide pulley 134 is fixed to a part of the main body case 101.

  The geared motor 133 and the wires 128a and 128b constitute lifting means for lifting and lowering the connection duct 125.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an elevation detection plate 136 is fixed to the connecting plate 126, and as the connection duct 125 rises, the elevation detection plate 136 hits the lever 138 of the elevation detection switch 137 from below, and the lever 138 The electric circuit included in the ascent detection switch 137 is turned on and off by the rotation on the free end side. Note that the ascent detection switch 137 is positioned at a part of the wire 128 a extending from the fixed plate 127 to the pulley 129 in the vertical direction, and is fixed to a part of the main body case 101.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, the rise detection switch 137 detects the rise of the connection duct 125 and electrically controls the geared motor 133 to regulate the rise position of the connection duct 125.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the elevation detection plate 136 and the elevation detection switch 137 are provided at symmetrical positions in the horizontal direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (the horizontal direction of the elevation cylinder 120), and the elevation detection switch 137 is fixed. The wire 128b from the plate 127 to the pulley 129 is also located at a part in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, as the connection duct 125 is lowered, the lifting detection plate 136 hits the lever 140 of the lowering detection switch 139 from the upper side, and the electric power of the lowering detection switch 139 by the rotation of the lever 140 on the free end side. Turn the circuit on and off.

  The lowering detection switch 139 is located at a part of the wire 128 a from the fixed plate 127 to the pulley 129 in the vertical direction, and is fixed to a part of the main body case 101.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the elevation detection plate 136 and the lowering detection switch 139 are provided at symmetrical positions in the left-right direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (left-right direction of the elevation outer cylinder 120), and the lowering detection switch 139 is fixed. The wire 128b from the plate 127 to the pulley 129 is also located at a part in the vertical direction.

  In the state shown in FIG. 9, the lowering detection switch 139 detects the lowering of the connection duct 125 and electrically controls the geared motor 133 to regulate the lowering position of the connection duct 125.

  Next, the structure of the safety detection part of the raising / lowering means is demonstrated. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are partial perspective views of the safety detection unit of the lifting / lowering means for moving the connection duct 125 up and down. A conductive contact plate 142 fixed to one end side of the conductive connecting plate 141 is positioned so as to surround the vertical wire 128a extending from the fixed plate 127 to the pulley 129, and a contact detection switch is connected to the other end side of the connecting plate 141. 143 is provided.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the wire 128 a is not in contact with the contact plate 142. The connection duct 125 is lowered by the weight of the connection duct 125 under the control of the geared motor 133. At this time, the wires 128a and 128b are pulled downward by the weight of the connection duct 125, and are straight and substantially straight in the vertical direction.

  The connecting plate 141, the contact plate 142, and the contact detection switch 143 are fixed to a part of the main body case 101, and are provided at symmetrical positions in the horizontal direction of the hot air circulation unit 100 (the horizontal direction of the elevating outer cylinder 120). The wire 128b extending from 127 to the pulley 129 is also located in a part in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 12 shows a state in which the wire 128 a or 128 b is in contact with the contact plate 142. This shows a state in which a connection duct 125 described later is not normally connected to the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 and has not been lowered to a predetermined fixed position.

  In a situation where the container 200 is not stopped at a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, the wire 128a or 128b is loosened when the connection duct 125 does not normally descend to a predetermined position. 142 is contacted. At this time, a predetermined current flows between the conductive wires 128a and 128b and the contact detection switch 143, and this is sent as a detection signal to a controller (not shown) that controls the entire apparatus, and the geared motor 133 is turned off. And

  Further, if the connection duct 125 is not normally connected to the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 and has not been lowered to a predetermined fixed position, the hot air circulation operation of the hot air circulation unit 100 is not started, and a lamp indicating a poor connection or Notification is made by a notification means (not shown) such as voice.

  In this case, the connection duct 125 is once raised, the container 200 is stopped at a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, and then the connection duct 125 is lowered again under the control of the geared motor 133.

  Further, the connection duct 125 is suspended by the wires 128a and 128b, and the connection duct 125 is lifted and lowered by winding and unwinding the wires 128a and 128b by driving the geared motor 133. The detection means 137 and 139 detect the geared motor 133 to control the drive, and the connection duct 125 is stopped at a predetermined position. When the connection duct 125 does not descend to the predetermined position, the looseness of the wires 128a and 128b is detected. The rotation of the geared motor 133 is stopped, and notification is given by the notification means.

  Accordingly, the connection duct 125 is reliably stopped at a predetermined position, and when the connection duct 125 does not descend to the predetermined position, the operator can grasp and correct the stop position of the container 200 with respect to the hot air circulation unit 100.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the hot air circulation unit 100, a suction cylinder 144 having an opening 145 facing the outside air is provided in the fixed inner cylinder 112 so as to penetrate the fixed outer cylinder 118. The outside air is mixed with the air sucked from the outside and sucked by the blower blades 108.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an exhaust pipe 146 having one end opened to the air blowing chamber 107 and the other end facing the outside air is provided. The exhaust pipe 146 detects the temperature of the circulating hot air to the outside air. And a thermally responsive damper 147 for opening and closing the passage.

  Although not shown, the hot air circulation unit 100 includes a motor 109, a sheathed heater (heating means) 111, a geared motor (elevating means) 133, an ascent detection switch (elevation detecting part) 137, a descending detection switch (elevation detecting part). 139, a contact detection switch (safety detection unit) 143, a controller for controlling the notification unit and the like as a whole. The operation is performed by a remote controller.

  2 and 3, the entire hot air circulation unit 100 is fixed to the ceiling 148 of the building via a suspension member 149.

  Next, the basic operation of the hot air circulation unit 100 in a state where the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is not connected to the container 200 (at the time of disconnection) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 8. I will explain.

  In this state, for example, when the tableware 208 after washing is stored in the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the container 200 is moved to a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, drying and disinfection operations using hot air are performed. This corresponds to the situation when the connection duct 125 is lifted and the connection with the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is released.

  The pulley 129 is rotated by driving a geared motor 133 included in the hot air circulation unit 100, and the wires 128 a and 128 b wound around the grooves 130 and 131 are wound up. At this time, the connecting duct 125 constituted by the elevating inner cylinder 113 integrated with the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the connecting member 123 is raised through the fixing plates 127 to which the lower ends of the wires 128a and 128b are fixed. The elevating inner cylinder 113 rises through the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

  As the connection duct 125 rises, the upper surface of the lift detection plate 136 fixed to the connecting plate 126 via the flange 120a of the lift outer cylinder 120 comes into contact with the lower surface of the lever 138 of the lift detection switch 137, and the lever 138 is rotated a predetermined angle. When moved, the electrical contact of the lift detection switch 137 is opened, the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned off, and the winding of the wires 128a and 128b is stopped.

  At this time, although the weights (mass) of the suspended connection duct 125 are applied to the wires 128a and 128b, the connection duct 125 holds the position where the driving of the geared motor 133 is turned off by the brake of the geared motor 133. The mass of the connection duct 125 is, for example, 15 to 30 kg.

  Further, as the elevating outer cylinder 120 of the connection duct 125 rises, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is contracted with the flange 118 a of the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  In the state where the connection duct 125 is held at the raised position, the energization to the motor 109, the sheathed heater (heating means) 111, the geared motor 133, etc. is turned off, and the operation of the hot air circulation unit 100 is stopped. Is.

  Next, the basic configuration of the container 200 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 13 to 15 in a state where the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is not connected to the container 200 (when the connection is released). The description will be given with reference.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container 200 forms a rectangular outline with a substrate 201 at the bottom, a side plate case 202 in the left-right direction, an open / close door 203 in the front-rear direction, and a top plate 204 on the top surface. . A plurality of wheels 201 a that allow the container 200 to move are attached to the four corners of the substrate 201.

  Further, a plurality of shelves 206 are provided in the vertical direction of the storage space 205 in the container 200, and both left and right end portions are respectively held by the side plate case 202. The shelf 206 is composed of a plurality of rod-like bodies or net-like members, and is configured to allow passage of hot air. Each shelf 206 can be adjusted to the side plate case 202 in the height direction. Yes.

  On the plurality of shelves 206 are placed a plurality of bowls 207 that store dishes 208 such as dishes, bowls, and trays. The basket 207 is put in and out of the container 200 by opening or closing one or both of the doors 203 in the front-rear direction. The container 200 can store food cans as well as tableware.

  In addition, openings 204a of the top plate 204, which is the upper surface of the container 200, are provided with openings 216 and 217 that communicate with the connection duct 125 of the hot air circulation unit 100 and serve as hot air supply paths and return paths, respectively. An opening / closing mechanism 209 that opens and closes the openings 216 and 217 is provided.

  Next, a basic configuration of the opening / closing mechanism 209 included in the container 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 show a state where the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 are not connected via the connection duct 125 (when the connection is released).

The opening / closing mechanism 209 includes an upper case 210 fixed to the inner surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200, and a lower case 211 disposed at a predetermined distance from the upper case 210. The upper case 210 and the lower case 211 are arranged at four corners. It is fixed via four circular supports 212 provided.
A compression coil spring (biasing means) 213 is wound around the outer surface of the support 212.

  In addition, an opening 204a is formed at the center of the top plate 204 of the container 200, and an opening 210a having substantially the same dimensions as the opening 204a is formed in the upper case 210.

  The elevating plate 214 is positioned at the opening 210a, and the elevating guide member 215 is fixed to the outer periphery of the elevating plate 214. The four support members 212 are passed through holes formed at the four corners of the lift plate 214, and the lift plate 214 and the lift guide member 215 integrated along the four support members 212 are configured to be movable up and down. is doing.

  Further, the compression coil spring 213 is positioned between the lower surface of the elevating guide member 215 and the upper surface of the lower case 211, and the elevating guide member 215 integrated with the elevating plate 214 is urged toward the upper case 210 side (upper side). Yes.

  The elevating plate 214 is formed with openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100 at the center, and the opening 216 and the opening 217 are separated by a central partition member 218.

  In addition, open / close plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the openings 216 and 217 are provided, and slide guides 221 and 222 having U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a along the slide direction of the open / close plates 219 and 220 are fixed to the lift plate 214. It is.

  The opposite ends of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are inserted into the U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a facing each other, and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are configured to be slidable along the U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a.

  Further, the lower case 211 has an opening 211a formed in the central portion at a position facing both the openings 216 and 217 formed in the elevating plate 214, and a U-shaped groove in the same direction as the slide guides 221 and 222. Slide guides 223 and 224 having 223a and 224a are positioned on both sides of the opening 211a and fixed to the lower case 211.

  The opposite ends of the slide plates 225 and 232 are inserted into U-shaped grooves 223a and 224a facing each other, and the slide plates 225 and 232 are configured to be slidable along the U-shaped grooves 223a and 224a. The opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide plates 225 and 232 are configured to be slidable in the same direction.

  Both sides of each of the opening / closing plate 219 and the slide plate 225 are connected by a connecting plate 226 via hinges 227a and 227b and hinges 228a and 228b, which are rotating fulcrum members, and constitute a first link mechanism 250a. . The hinges 227a and 227b are located on the opening / closing plate 219 in the direction opposite to the central partition member 218.

  Further, one side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 225 is connected by a connecting plate 229a via hinges 230a and 231a, and the other side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 225 is connected via hinges 230b and 231b. Are connected by a connecting plate 229b to constitute a second link mechanism 251a.

  The connecting plate 226 and the connecting plates 229a and 229b are positioned so as to face each other at angles of θ1 and θ2 with respect to the vertical direction.

  Further, both sides of the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232 are connected by a connecting plate 233 via hinges 234a and 234b and hinges 235a and 235b to constitute a first link mechanism 250b. The hinges 234a and 234b are located on the opening / closing plate 220 in the direction opposite to the central partition member 218.

  Further, one side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 232 is connected by a connecting plate 236a via hinges 237a and 238a, and the other side of the lift plate 214 and the slide plate 232 is connected via hinges 237b and 238b. Are connected by a connecting plate 236b to constitute a second link mechanism 251b.

  The connecting plate 233 and the connecting plates 236a and 236b are positioned so as to face each other at angles of θ1 and θ2 with respect to the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 17, 19, and 21, the connection plates 229 a, 229 b, and 236 a, 236 b are disposed outside the connection plates 226, 233, respectively. The opening 211a formed in the lower case 211 serves as a hot air circulation path.

  Further, torsion coil springs (not shown) as urging means are attached to the respective hinges which are pivotal fulcrum members used for the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b.

  Each of the opening / closing plates 219, 220 includes first link mechanisms 250a, 250b and second link mechanisms 251a, 251b. The opening / closing plates 219, 220, the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b, and the second link mechanism 251a, 251b is arranged symmetrically with the central partition member 218 as the center.

  In addition, although the hinge was used as a rotation fulcrum member, it is not limited to this, For example, you may comprise by the plate-shaped or linear bending member which has elasticity.

  Next, the state of the opening / closing mechanism 209 when the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is not connected to the container 200 (when the connection is released) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A compression coil spring 213 positioned between the lower surface of the elevating guide member 215 and the upper surface of the lower case 211 causes the elevating guide member 215 integrated with the elevating plate 214 to have a predetermined biasing force toward the upper case 210 (upper side). The upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper case 210. The elevating plate 214 integrated with the elevating guide member 215 is also stopped at a position almost flush with the top plate 204.

  In addition, the open / close plates 219 and 220 fitted and guided in the U-shaped grooves 221a and 222a of the slide guides 221 and 222 fixed to the lift plate 214 are also in the raised position, and the center side of the open / close plates 219 and 220 Is in contact with the central partition member 218.

  At this time, both sides of each of the opening / closing plate 219 and the slide plate 225 are connected by a connecting plate 226 via hinges 227a, 227b and hinges 228a, 228b to form a first link mechanism 250a. The end on the center side is urged by a torsion coil spring provided on the hinges 227a, 227b, 228a, 228b and abuts against the center partition member 218.

  Further, both sides of each of the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232 are connected by a connecting plate 233 via hinges 234a and 234b and hinges 235a and 235b to constitute a first link mechanism 250b. The end on the side is urged by a torsion coil spring provided on the hinges 234a, 234b, 235a, 235b and abuts against the central partition member 218.

  As a result, the openings 216 and 217 of the lifting plate 214 are closed by the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  The inclination angle (θ1) of the connecting plates 226 and 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b may be 5 to 30 degrees, for example, and is set to 25 degrees in the present embodiment. Therefore, the angle between the opening / closing plate 219 and the connecting plate 226, and between the opening / closing plate 220 and the connecting plate 233 is 65 degrees.

  Further, the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b may be, for example, 5 to 30 degrees, and in this embodiment, it is 25 degrees. It is set. Therefore, the angle between the lifting plate 214 and the connecting plates 229a, 229b, and 236a, 236b is 65 degrees.

  Further, the distance in the vertical direction between the open / close plates 219 and 220 and the slide plates 225 and 232 is the maximum.

  In addition, since each of the hinges 227a, 227b, 228a, 228b has a torsion coil spring, it is biased so that the inclination angle (θ1) of the connecting plate 226 becomes small. In other words, the urging force to change the connecting plate 226 in the vertical direction acts.

  In addition, since each of the hinges 230a, 230b, 231a, and 231b has a torsion coil spring, the hinges 230a, 230b, 231a, and 231b are biased so as to reduce the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting plates 229a and 229b. That is, an urging force that is intended to change in the vertical direction acts on the connecting plates 229a and 229b.

  One ends of the connecting plates 229a and 229b are fixed via hinges 230a and 230b with the lifting plate 214 side, which is not a slidable member such as the opening / closing plate 219 and the slide plate 225, as a fixed end. As a result, the slide plate 225 slidable (slidable) along the slide guides 223 and 224 is in a stationary state at a predetermined position.

  Further, as described above, since each of the hinges 227a, 227b, 228a, 228b has a torsion coil spring, an urging force for changing the connecting plate 226 in the vertical direction acts. Yes. In addition, the slidable slide plate 225 is stationary at a predetermined position.

  As a result, a biasing force is applied to the opening / closing plate 219 that is moved to and in contact with the central partition member 218 to move further to the central partition member 218 side. Therefore, the opening / closing plate 219 is pressed against the central partition member 218, so that the opening 216 can be reliably closed.

  Further, both sides of each of the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232 are connected by a connecting plate 233 via hinges 234a and 234b and hinges 235a and 235b to constitute a first link mechanism 250b. The end on the side is urged by a torsion coil spring provided on the hinges 234a, 234b, 235a, 235b and abuts against the central partition member 218.

  Further, since each of the hinges 234a, 234b, 235a, 235b has a torsion coil spring, the hinge 234a is biased so that the inclination angle (θ1) of the connecting plate 233 becomes small. In other words, the urging force that attempts to change the connecting plate 233 in the vertical direction is acting.

  Further, since each of the hinges 237a, 237b, 238a, 238b has a torsion coil spring, the hinges 237a, 236b are biased so as to reduce the inclination angle (θ2). That is, an urging force that is intended to change in the vertical direction acts on the connecting plates 236a and 236b.

  One ends of the connecting plates 236a and 236b are fixed via hinges 237a and 237b with the lifting plate 214 side, which is not a slidable member such as the opening / closing plate 220 and the slide plate 232, as a fixed end. As a result, the slide plate 232 that is slidable (slidable) along the slide guides 223 and 224 is in a stationary state at a predetermined position.

  Further, as described above, since each of the hinges 237a and 237b has a torsion coil spring, an urging force for changing the connecting plate 233 in the vertical direction acts. In addition, the slidable slide plate 232 is stationary at a predetermined position.

  As a result, an urging force for further moving toward the central partition member 218 acts on the opening / closing plate 220 that is moved toward and in contact with the central partition member 218. Therefore, the opening / closing plate 220 is pressed against the central partition member 218, and the opening 217 can be reliably closed.

  As described above, in a state where the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 are not connected via the connection duct 125 (when the connection is released), the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 performs hot air from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100. Openings 216 and 217 serving as return paths are closed and closed by opening and closing plates 219 and 220, respectively.

  In addition, the lifting plate 214 is in the raised position, and the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 is substantially flush with the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200, and closes the opening 204a.

  Further, the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper case 210. As a result, the opening 239 (see FIGS. 16, 17, 20, and 21) serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is closed and closed.

  Next, a process of connecting the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a hot air circulation unit is used to place a container 200 containing a predetermined number of baskets 207 with tableware 208 in a storage space 205 so that the opening / closing mechanism 209 and the connection duct 125 face each other. Transport to a predetermined position below 100 and stop. The stop position of the container 200 may be displayed by aligning the four corners of the substrate 201 with the position of the floor corresponding to the position of the hot air circulation unit 100.

  The position in the height direction (vertical direction) between the stopped container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100 is determined in advance by the distance between the lower surface of the packing 122 on the flange 121 of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200. For example, it is set to about 300 mm.

  Next, the process of lowering the connection duct 125 of the hot air circulation unit 100 and connecting it to the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. 16 and 17 show a process in the middle of the connection duct 125 being in contact with the opening / closing mechanism 209 and continuing to descend.

  After the container 200 is stopped at a predetermined position below the hot air circulation unit 100, the geared motor 133 of the hot air circulation unit 100 is driven by an operation of a remote controller (not shown), and the connection duct 125 suspended by the wires 128a and 128b. Is lowered by its own weight. Note that the mass of the connection duct 125 is, for example, 15 to 30 kg.

In the lowering process of the connecting duct 125, first, after the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 which is the lower end portion of the lifting inner cylinder 113 constituting the connecting duct 125 contacts the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, the lifting plate 214, The elevating guide member 215 receives a pressing force due to its own weight of the connection duct 125 and is pushed down against the urging force of the compression coil spring 213.

As the elevating plate 214 is lowered, the slide guides 221 and 222 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also lowered. At this time, the packing 122 provided on the flange 121 which is the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is not yet in contact with the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200.

  The opening and closing plates 219 and 220 held by the slide guides 221 and 222 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also lowered after the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the elevating inner tube 113 comes into contact with the upper surface of the elevating plate 214. To do.

  The distance between the elevating plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 that are lowered and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 at a fixed position is reduced, and the first link mechanism 250a and the first link are reduced. The connecting plates 226 and 233 constituting the mechanism 250b change in the horizontal direction by increasing the inclination angle from θ1 to θ3, respectively.

  Further, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b increase in the inclination angle from θ2 to θ4 and change in the horizontal direction.

  The connection plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are fixed at one end to the lifting plate 214 (fixed end side) via hinges 230a, 230b, 237a, and 237b, and the other end is connected The slide plates 225 and 232 are slidable via hinges 231a, 231b, 238a and 238b. Accordingly, the slide plates 225 and 232 move by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the descending distance of the elevating plate 214.

  The connection plates 226 and 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b are fixed at one end to slidable opening and closing plates 219 and 220 via hinges 227a, 227b, 234a and 234b, and the other ends are hinges 228a. Slidable slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed via 228b, 235a and 235b. Therefore, the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 slide and move the slide guides 221 and 222 in a direction away from the central partition member 218 in correlation with the descending distance of the lifting plate 214.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the descending distance of the elevating plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Due to the movement of the slide plates 225 and 232 constituting the mechanisms 250a and 250b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Will do.

  Accordingly, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the descending distance of the elevating plate 214 is moved by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. This is the sum of the movement distances of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  As the elevating plate 214 is lowered, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is in a state in which the openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100 are closed and closed by the opening and closing plates 219 and 220, respectively. Transition from open to open.

  Further, as the elevating plate 214 descends, the elevating plate 214 moves downward from the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200 (for example, a distance H1 in FIGS. 16 and 17). Further, the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 is separated from the lower surface of the upper case 210. As a result, the opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is closed and shifted from the closed state to the open state.

  Next, the state where the connection duct 125 of the hot air circulation unit 100 is lowered to the final position and is connected to the opening / closing mechanism 209 and the top plate 204 of the container 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 18, 19, 20, and 21. explain.

  The connection duct 125 further descends, and in the final lowered position, the distance between the lift plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 in the fixed position are as follows. Further decreasing, the connecting plates 226, 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b further increase in inclination angle from θ3 and change in a substantially horizontal direction.

  Further, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b change in a substantially horizontal direction with an inclination angle increased further from θ4.

  By the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b, the slide plates 225 and 232 move by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the final lowering distance of the elevating plate 214.

  Further, the first link mechanisms 250 a and 250 b cause the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 to slide the slide guides 221 and 222 away from the central partition member 218 in correlation with the final lowering distance of the lifting plate 214. The openings 216 and 217 are fully opened.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 move by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction away from each other in correlation with the final lowering distance of the lifting plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Due to the movement of the slide plates 225 and 232 constituting the two link mechanisms 251a and 251b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanism 251b. Will do.

  Therefore, the movement distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the final lowering distance of the lifting plate 214 is equal to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. The movement distance of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 that are moved by the above is added.

  In the final lowered position of the lifting plate 214, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 has the openings 216, 217 serving as hot air return paths from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100 being fully opened by the movement of the opening / closing plates 219, 220, respectively. Become.

Further, at the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214, the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 is maximally separated from the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200 (distance H2 in FIGS. 20 and 21).
Further, the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 is maximally separated from the lower surface of the upper case 210. As a result, the opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is fully opened.

  Further, the packing 122 of the flange 121 integrated with the elevating outer cylinder 120 comes into contact with the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200. Further, as the elevating outer cylinder 120 is lowered, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in a state of extending between the flange 118 a of the fixed outer cylinder 118.

At the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214, the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 and the top plate 204 is subjected to a pressing force, which is the mass (self-weight) of the connection duct 125, through hollow and elastic packing 116, 122 made of rubber or the like. It is what you have received.

  The separation distance between the upper surface of the lifting guide member 215 integrated with the lifting plate 214 and the lower surface of the upper case 210 corresponds to approximately 65 mm, which is the total lowering distance of the lifting plate 214.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b with the lifting plate 214 as a base point is approximately 54 mm, respectively, and the slide plate 225 by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b. The maximum movement distances of the open / close plates 219 and 220 with respect to 232 are approximately 54 mm, respectively.

  Therefore, the maximum movement distances of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are each approximately 108 mm.

  In the present embodiment, the sizes of the openings 216 and 217 are 106 mm in the direction along the movement of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220, and 220 mm in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220, respectively. It is configured in a rectangular shape.

  In the embodiment, the total lowering distance from the lowering start position of the lifting plate 214 due to the contact of the packing 116 of the flange 115 to the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214 is set to about 65 mm.

  Furthermore, the connection duct 125 is set to approximately 365 mm with the total descending distance from the descending start to the final descending position. When the container 200 is moved below the hot air circulation unit 100, the distance of 300 mm between the lower surface of the packing 122 of the flange 115 and the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200 is approximately 65 mm, which is the total descending distance of the lifting plate 214. Is added.

  Further, when the connecting duct 125 is lowered, the lower surface of the lifting detection plate 136 fixed to the connecting plate 126 via the flange 120a of the lifting outer cylinder 120 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lever 140 of the lowering detection switch 139, and the lever 140 is moved at a predetermined angle. When rotated, the electrical contact of the lowering detection switch 139 is opened, the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned OFF, and the rewinding of the wires 128a and 128b is stopped. As a result, the final lowering position of the connection duct 125 is restricted, and the lowering operation of the connection duct 125 is finished.

  The connection duct 125 stops at the final lowering position of the lifting plate 214, but the electric contact of the lowering detection switch 139 is opened almost simultaneously with the lowering stop of the connection duct 125 and the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned off. Yes. More specifically, the geared motor 133 is further driven for a short time by the control means after the electric contact of the lowering detection switch 139 is opened, and the driving of the geared motor 133 is turned off with the wires 128a and 128b slightly loosened. is there.

  As described above, the opening / closing mechanism 209 includes the elevating plate 214 that can move up and down in the vertical direction, the openings 216 and 217 provided in the elevating plate as a return path of hot air from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit 100, and the elevating plate 214. Opening and closing plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the openings provided in the upper and lower plates, and when the lifting plate 214 is lowered, the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are slid horizontally to open the opening 216 and 217 provided in the lifting plate 214 from the closed state. In addition, an opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is formed by the downward separation of the elevating plate 214 from the opening 204a provided on the upper surface portion of the container 200.

  Thereby, both the return path of hot air and the supply path of hot air can be simultaneously and reliably opened from closed.

  Further, the elevating plate 214 is urged upward by the urging means 213 and can be moved up and down. When the connecting duct 125 is lowered, the elevating plate 214 resists the urging force of the urging means 213 and pushes the connecting duct 125. When the connection duct 125 rises, the pressure of the connection duct 125 is released, and the lifting plate 214 is raised by the upward biasing force of the biasing means 213.

  Thereby, the raising / lowering plate 214 can be reliably raised / lowered by the presence or absence of transmission / reception of the connection duct 125. Furthermore, both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path can be simultaneously and reliably opened from the closed state.

  Further, the upper case 210 and the lower case 221 fixedly arranged with a predetermined interval, the elevating plate 214 that can be moved up and down between the upper case 210 and the lower case 221, and the openings 216 and 217 provided in the elevating plate 214. Opening and closing plates 219 and 220 slidable in the horizontal direction for opening and closing the sliding plate, slide plates 225 and 232 slidable in the horizontal direction of the lower case 221, and pivot points of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 and the sliding plates 225 and 232. The first link mechanisms 250a and 250b configured by connecting the connecting plates 226 and 233 through the members, the elevating plate 214 and the slide plates 225 and 232 are connected to the connecting plates 229a, 229b, and 236a through the rotation fulcrum members. Second link mechanisms 251a and 251b configured to be coupled by 236b. Via the preliminary second link mechanism, which is the opening and closing plate 219 and 220 as it is slid.

  Thereby, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 in the sliding direction is increased with respect to the ascending / descending distance of the connection duct 125, the areas of the openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths are set large, and the hot air passage resistance is reduced. can do. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

  Further, when the elevating plate 214 is in the raised position, the connection plates 226, 233, 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b included in the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b and the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b are predetermined with respect to the vertical direction. The angle is inclined.

  As a result, the connecting plates 226, 233, 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b can be easily rotated when the elevating plate 214 starts to descend, and the open / close plates 219 and 220 and the slide plates 225 and 232 are smoothly moved to generate hot air. Both the return path and the hot air supply path can be reliably opened from the closed state.

  In addition, the first and second link mechanisms 250a and 250b are provided with two openings 216 and 217 in the elevating plate 214 and open / close plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the respective openings 216 and 217, and sliding the respective open / close plates 219 and 220. And the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b, and the respective opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are slid in directions toward and away from each other to open and close the respective openings 216 and 217.

  Thereby, the area of the openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths can be set larger, and the hot air passage resistance can be reduced. Therefore, a sufficient circulation amount of hot air can be ensured and the blower can be further downsized.

  Further, when the connecting duct 125 is lowered, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is in contact with the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, and the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container 200. .

  As a result, the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 receives the pressing force of the connection duct 125 only from the lower end portion of the descending inner cylinder 113 to open both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path from closed to open. be able to. In addition, the configuration can be simplified.

  Further, when the position of the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is lower than the position of the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the connection duct 125 is lowered, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 becomes the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209. After lowering by contacting and lowering the elevating plate 214 by a predetermined distance, the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container 200.

  As a result, for example, when the container 200 is stopped not in a predetermined position but greatly displaced in the horizontal direction with respect to the hot air circulation unit 100, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is placed in the container in the descending process of the connection duct 125. The lowering is stopped by contacting the upper surface portion of the container 200, and does not descend until the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder 120 contacts the upper surface portion of the container 200.

  By observing this state, grasping the connection failure of the connection duct 125 to the container 200, raising the connection duct 125 once, adjusting the stop position of the container 200 to a predetermined position, and then lowering the connection duct 125 again. It can be connected normally.

  Therefore, it becomes easy for an operator to check the connection state of the connection duct 125 to the container 200 in order, and the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 always lowers the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 so as to return the hot air return path and hot air. Both supply paths can be reliably opened from closed.

  In addition, the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is always in contact with the elevating plate 214, and the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is in contact with the upper surface of the container 200 to ensure the sealing of these contact parts and prevent leakage of hot air. can do.

  Further, the outer circumference of the flange 115 provided at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder 113 is smaller than the opening 204a provided in the top plate 204 of the container 200 by a predetermined dimension (for example, approximately 50 mm) over the entire circumference. Thereby, if the container 200 is stopped within the range of a predetermined dimension with respect to the hot air circulation unit 100, the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 always comes into contact with the top plate 204 (upper surface portion) of the container and the descent stops. Therefore, the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 can be reliably lowered to open both the hot air return path and the hot air supply path from closed to open.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a margin for the shift of the stop position of the container 200 with respect to the hot-air circulation unit 100, thereby facilitating and speeding up the stop operation of the container 200. In addition, even if the container 200 is stopped within a predetermined size range, the flange 115 provided at the lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder 113 does not block the openings 216 and 217.

  Next, the operation after the connection between the connection unit of the hot air circulation unit 100 and the opening / closing mechanism 209 is completed will be described.

  First, the air blowing motor 109 and the sheathed heater 111 of the hot air circulation unit 100 are energized. The air in the storage unit 205 of the container 200 is sucked through the openings 216 and 217 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, the raising / lowering inner cylinder 113 of the connection duct 125, and the return path 117 of the fixed inner cylinder 112 by the rotation of the blower blades 108.

  The sucked air enters the heat exchange chamber 110 from the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107 and is heated by the sheath heater 111 to become hot air, between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the fixed outer cylinder 118, and between the fixed inner cylinder 112 and the telescopic cylinder. 119 passes through the supply path 124 between the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the elevating outer cylinder 120, and is further blown into the storage unit 205 from the opening 239 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200.

  The hot air blown into the storage unit 205 descends outside the storage unit 205 and flows to contact the tableware 208, and the circulating flow flows from the central part of the storage unit 205 toward the openings 216 and 217 of the opening / closing mechanism 209. Form.

The hot air circulated in the storage unit 205 passes through the return passages 117 of the elevating inner cylinder 113 and the fixed inner cylinder 112 from the openings 216 and 217 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 and is sucked by the blower blades 108, and the hot air flows into the storage unit 205 of the container 200. Circulates with the circulation unit 100.
In addition, the solid line arrow in a figure shows the flow of hot air.

  Hot air is generated from the start of energization to the blower motor 109 and the sheathed heater 111, and the temperature of the hot air circulating gradually rises while raising the temperature of the storage unit 205 of the container 200, the tableware 208, the bowl 207, etc. The temperature reaches about 90 degrees C in about 20 to 30 minutes (for example, hot air temperature at the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107).

  During this time, for example, the temperature of the hot air at the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107 is detected by a temperature detector (for example, a thermistor, not shown), and the sheathed heater 111 is energized so that the temperature of the hot air does not exceed about 90 degrees C. ON / OFF control. The energization of the sheathed heater 111 is not limited to ON / OFF control, and the power may be controlled steplessly.

  The hot air circulation operation is continued between the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100 for about 90 minutes after reaching the hot air temperature of about 90 degrees C. Also during this time, the temperature detector detects the temperature of the hot air, controls the energization to the sheathed heater 111, and keeps the temperature of the circulating hot air at a temperature of about 90 degrees C.

  By continuing the operation of hot air circulation between the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100, the water adhering to the inner wall of the storage unit 205, the tableware 208, and the bowl 207 is evaporated and the hot air is used. Disinfect.

  Note that when the temperature of hot air gradually circulates from the start of energization to the blower motor 109 and the sheathed heater 111, for example, when the hot air temperature at the discharge port 106 of the blower chamber 107 reaches a temperature of approximately 60 degrees C. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the thermally responsive damper 147 provided in the exhaust cylinder 146 having one end opened to the air blowing chamber 107 and the other end facing the outside air is operated. This opens the passage to the outside air.

When the thermally responsive damper 147 is activated and the passage to the outside air is opened, a part of the circulating hot air flows out into the outside air, and at the same time, the outside air enters the fixed inner cylinder 112 from the opening 145 of the suction cylinder 144 shown in FIG. It is sucked and mixed with hot air sucked from the container 200.

  Thus, the humidity of the circulating hot air is suppressed to a predetermined value or less, and the evaporation of water adhering to the inner wall of the storage unit 205, the tableware 208, and the bowl 207 is promoted.

  After the hot air circulation operation is continued for about 90 minutes between the inside of the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100, the energization to the sheathed heater 111 is turned off and the energization to the air blowing motor 109 is further turned on for about 5 minutes. Turn off after continuing for a minute, and stop hot air circulation operation.

  Next, after the hot air circulation operation is stopped between the storage unit 205 of the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100, the connection duct 125 included in the hot air circulation unit 100 is connected to the container 200 from the connection duct 125. The process of lifting the connection and releasing the connection will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, and 21.

  First, the pulley 129 is rotated by driving the geared motor 133, the wires 128 a and 128 b wound around the grooves 130 and 131 are taken up, and the connection duct 125 is raised.

  At this time, the connecting duct 125 constituted by the elevating outer cylinder 120 via the respective fixing plates 127 to which the lower ends of the wires 128 a and 128 b are fixed, and the elevating inner cylinder 113 integrated with the elevating outer cylinder 120 and the connecting member 123. To raise. The elevating inner cylinder 113 rises through the convex member 114 using the outer surface of the fixed inner cylinder 112 as a guide.

In the ascending process of the connection duct 125, the openings 216 and 217 which are hot air return paths and the supply path 239 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 are connected from the fully opened state as shown in FIGS. A compression 116 in which the packing plate 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the lifting inner cylinder 113 constituting the duct 125 is in contact with the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209 and the lifting plate 214 and the lifting guide member 215 are biasing means. The coil spring 213 is lifted by the urging force.

As the elevating plate 214 is raised, the slide guides 221 and 222 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also raised. The distances between the ascending / descending plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 at a fixed position are increased, and the first link mechanism 250a and the first link are increased. The connecting plates 226 and 233 constituting the mechanism 250b change in the vertical direction with the inclination angle decreasing from approximately horizontal to θ3.

  In addition, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanism 251a and the second link mechanism 251b decrease in inclination angle from approximately horizontal to θ4 and change in the vertical direction.

One end of each of the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b is fixed to the lifting plate 214 via hinges 230a, 230b, 237a and 237b, and the other ends are hinges 231a, 231b and 238a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed to the slide plates 225 and 232 via 238b, the slide plates 225 and 232 slide the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in relation to the rising distance of the lift plate 214. Moving.

  The connection plates 226, 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b are fixed at one end to the opening / closing plates 219, 220 via hinges 227a, 227b, 234a, 234b and the other ends at the hinges 228a, 228b, 235a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed via 235b, the open / close plates 219 and 220 are correlated with the ascending distance of the lift plate 214 in the direction in which the slide guides 221 and 221 approach each other toward the central partition member 218 side. 222 is slid and moved.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in correlation with the ascending distance of the elevating plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. By moving the slide plates 225 and 232 that also constitute the mechanisms 250a and 250b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Will do.

  Accordingly, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the rising distance of the elevating plate 214 is moved by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. This is the sum of the movement distances of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  As described above, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is fully opened by the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 in the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 as the return path of the hot air from the container 200 to the hot-air circulation unit 100 as the elevating plate 214 rises. It shifts from being in the closing direction.

Further, as the elevating plate 214 rises, the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 approaches the opening 204a of the top plate 204 of the container 200 (for example, the distance H1 in FIGS. 16 and 17).
As a result, the distance in the height direction of the opening 239 serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 decreases, and the state moves from the fully open state to the closing direction.

  Note that the packing 122 provided on the flange 121 of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is separated from the upper surface of the top plate 204 of the container 200 almost simultaneously with the start of ascent of the connection duct 125.

As the connecting duct 125 further rises, the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the lifting inner cylinder 113 constituting the connecting duct 125 moves away from the upper surface of the lifting plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209. The elevating plate 214 and the elevating guide member 215 are raised by the urging force of the compression coil spring 213, and the state shown in FIGS.

  As the elevating plate 214 is raised, the slide guides 221 and 222 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 fixed to the elevating plate 214 are also raised. The distances between the ascending / descending plate 214 and the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 and the slide guides 223 and 224 and the slide plates 225 and 232 included in the lower case 211 in a fixed position are increased, and the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b are configured. The connecting plates 226 and 233 to be moved change in the vertical direction with the inclination angles decreasing from θ3 to θ1.

  Further, the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, and 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b decrease in the inclination angle from θ4 to θ2 and change in the vertical direction.

  One end of each of the connecting plates 229a, 229b, 236a, 236b constituting the second link mechanisms 251a, 251b is fixed to the lifting plate 214 via hinges 230a, 230b, 237a, 237b, and the other ends are hinges 231a, 231b, 238a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed to the slide plates 225 and 232 via 238b, the slide plates 225 and 232 slide the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in relation to the rising distance of the lift plate 214. Moving.

  The connection plates 226, 233 constituting the first link mechanisms 250a, 250b are fixed at one end to the opening / closing plates 219, 220 via hinges 227a, 227b, 234a, 234b and the other ends at the hinges 228a, 228b, 235a. Since the slide plates 225 and 232 are fixed via 235b, the open / close plates 219 and 220 are correlated with the ascending distance of the lift plate 214 in the direction in which the slide guides 221 and 221 approach each other toward the central partition member 218 side. The opening 216 and 217 are closed by the opening / closing plates 219 and 220.

  At this time, the slide plates 225 and 232 are moved by sliding the slide guides 223 and 224 in a direction approaching each other in correlation with the ascending distance of the elevating plate 214 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Due to the movement of the slide plates 225 and 232 constituting the mechanisms 250a and 250b, the connecting plates 226 and 233 and the opening and closing plates 219 and 220 are also moved by an amount corresponding to the movement distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. Will do.

  Accordingly, the moving distance of the opening / closing plates 219 and 220 correlated with the rising distance of the elevating plate 214 is moved by the first link mechanisms 250a and 250b to the moving distance of the slide plates 225 and 232 moved by the second link mechanisms 251a and 251b. This is the sum of the movement distances of the opening and closing plates 219 and 220.

  When the packing 116 provided on the flange 115 integrated with the elevating inner cylinder 113 constituting the connection duct 125 is separated from the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 of the opening / closing mechanism 209, the opening / closing mechanism 209 of the container 200 is moved from the container 200 to the hot air circulation unit. Openings 216 and 217 serving as hot air return paths to 100 are fully closed by opening and closing plates 219 and 220, respectively.

Further, as the elevating plate 214 is raised, the upper surface of the elevating plate 214 becomes substantially flush with the opening 204a provided in the top plate 204 of the container 200, and the upper surface of the elevating guide member 215 integrated with the elevating plate 214 is raised. It contacts the lower surface of the case 210. This ensures that an opening 239 of a thermally-air circulating unit 100 and the supply passage of the hot air to the container 200 is fully closed.

  As the connection duct 125 further rises, the upper surface of the elevation detection plate 136 fixed to the connecting plate 126 via the flange 120a of the elevation outer cylinder 120 contacts the lower surface of the lever 138 of the elevation detection switch 137 as shown in FIG. When the lever 138 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the electrical contact of the lift detection switch 137 is opened, the drive of the geared motor 133 is turned off, and the winding of the wires 128a and 128b is stopped.

  At this time, the wires 128a and 128b are suspended by the weight (mass) of the connection duct 125, but the connection duct 125 turns off the drive of the geared motor 133 by the brake of the geared motor 133. Hold position.

  Further, as the elevating outer cylinder 120 of the duct 125 rises, the telescopic cylinder 119 connected to the flange 120 a of the elevating outer cylinder 120 is contracted with the flange 118 a of the fixed outer cylinder 118.

  After the drying and disinfection operation by hot air is finished and the connection duct 125 is lifted to release the connection with the container 200, the container 200 is moved from the school lunch center for cleaning, drying, and disinfection of dishes through storage, for example. It will be transported to school for eating.

  In the present embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 209 is provided with two openings 216 serving as a return path for hot air. However, when there is a margin in the hot air passage resistance, the opening is defined as one opening and this opening is the first link. The opening / closing plate may be slid by the mechanism and the second link mechanism to be opened and closed.

  In addition, the opening / closing plate that opens and closes the opening serving as the return path for hot air is slid by the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism. However, when there is a margin in the hot air passage resistance, only the first link mechanism is used. The opening / closing plate may be slid. In this case, one of the connecting plates of the first link mechanism is fixed to the opening / closing plate via the rotation fulcrum member, and the other end of the connecting plate is fixed to the lower case of the opening / closing mechanism 209 via the rotation fulcrum member. Fix as side.

  The connecting duct 125 has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder and an elevating outer cylinder provided outside the elevating inner cylinder. The elevating inner cylinder is a return path for hot air from the container, the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder. The hot air supply path to the container is used as a connection path, but each of the hot air return path and the supply path may be a connection duct formed of a single cylindrical body, and the connection duct may be moved up and down.

As described above, the container 200 for storing dishes, the hot air circulation unit 100 that supplies hot air to the container 200 and circulates it, and the hot air circulation between the container 200 and the hot air circulation unit 100 via the connection duct 125. The tableware disinfection storage device of the present invention which operates and heats and disinfects tableware in the container 200 has a connection duct 125 which is provided in the hot air circulation unit 100 and can be moved up and down, and communicates with the connection duct 125 to supply hot air. An opening / closing mechanism 209 that constitutes an opening serving as a path and a return path and that opens and closes each opening is provided on the upper surface of the container 200. The opening / closing mechanism 209 includes an elevating plate 214 that can be moved up and down in the vertical direction, and the container 200. To the hot air circulation unit 100 to the hot air circulation unit 100, openings 216 and 217 provided in the elevating plate 214 and provided in the elevating plate 214. Open / close plates 219 and 220 for opening and closing the ports 216 and 217, and when the elevating plate 214 descends due to the pressing force of the connecting duct 125 descending, the open / close plates 219 and 220 are slid horizontally. The openings 216 and 217 provided on the lifting plate 214 are closed to open, and the hot air from the hot air circulation unit 100 to the container 200 is separated from the opening 204 a on the upper surface portion of the container 200 by the downward movement of the lifting plate 214. An opening 239 serving as a supply path is formed.

  This eliminates the need to open and close the opening that serves as the hot air supply path and return path of the container 200, and after the connection between the hot air circulation unit 100 and the container 200 is released, the opening is reliably closed to achieve the effect of drying and disinfection. Containers can be transported and moved in a maintained state.

  In addition, the opening / closing mechanism 209 receives the pressing force due to the weight of the connecting duct 125 that descends, and opens each opening from closed. Thereby, each opening can be changed from closed to open only by the dead weight of the connection duct 125. Therefore, a mechanism for forcibly applying the pressing force is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Hot-air circulation unit 101 Main body case 102 Front door 103 Substrate 104 Blower case (blower means)
105 Partition plate 106 Discharge port 107 Blower chamber (Blower unit)
108 Blower (Blower)
109 Motor (air blowing means)
110 Heat exchange chamber 111 Seed heater (heating means)
112 Fixed inner cylinder 113 Elevating inner cylinder 114 Convex member 115 Flange 116 Packing 117 Return path (hot air circulation path)
118 fixed outer cylinder 118a flange 119 telescopic cylinder 120 elevating outer cylinder 120a flange 121 flange 122 packing 123 connecting member 124 supply path (hot air circulation path)
125 Connection duct (hot air circulation path)
126 connecting plate 127 fixing plate 128a wire (lifting means)
128b wire (lifting means)
129 Pulley 130 Groove 131 Groove 132 Rib 133 Geared motor (lifting means)
134 Guide pulley 135 Groove 136 Elevation detection plate 137 Elevation detection switch (elevation detection section)
138 Lever 139 Descent detection switch (Elevation detection unit)
140 Lever 141 Connecting plate 142 Contact plate 143 Contact detection switch (safety detection unit)
144 Suction cylinder 145 Opening 146 Exhaust cylinder 147 Thermally responsive damper 148 Ceiling part 149 Hanging member 200 Container 201 Substrate 201a Wheel 202 Side plate case 203 Opening / closing door 204 Top plate 204a Opening part 205 Storage space 206 Shelf 207 Bowl 208 Tableware 210 Opening / closing mechanism 210 Upper case 210a Opening 211 Lower case 211a Opening 212 Support body 213 Compression coil spring 214 Lifting plate 215 Lifting guide member 216 Opening (return path, hot air circulation path)
217 Opening (return path, hot air circulation path)
218 Central partition member 219 Opening and closing plate 220 Opening and closing plate 221 Slide guide 221a U-shaped groove 222 Slide guide 222a U-shaped groove 223 Slide guide 223a U-shaped groove 224 Slide guide 224a U-shaped groove 225 Slide plate 226 Connecting plate 227a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
227b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
228a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
228b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
229a connecting plate 229b connecting plate 230a hinge (rotating fulcrum member)
230b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
231a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
231b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
232 Slide plate 233 Connecting plate 234a Hinge (rotating fulcrum member)
234b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
235a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
235b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
236a connecting plate 236b connecting plate 237a hinge (rotating fulcrum member)
237b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
238a Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
238b Hinge (Rotating fulcrum member)
239 Opening (supply path, hot air circulation path)
250a First link mechanism 250b First link mechanism 251a Second link mechanism 251b Second link mechanism

Claims (12)

A container for storing tableware, a hot air circulation unit for supplying and circulating hot air to the container, and circulating hot air through a connection duct between the container and the hot air circulation unit, and the tableware in the container A tableware heating / disinfecting device for heating and disinfecting foods,
A connection duct that is provided in the hot air circulation unit and that can freely move up and down, and an open / close mechanism that opens and closes the supply path and the return path while communicating with the connection duct and that opens and closes the supply path and the return path are provided on the upper surface of the container. The opening / closing mechanism receives the pressing force of the connecting duct that descends to open the supply path and the return path from closed to open, and opens the supply path and return path by releasing the pressing force of the connecting duct that rises. Tableware heating disinfection device characterized in that it is closed. 2. The tableware heating and disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism receives a pressing force due to the weight of the descending connection duct to open each opening from closed. The connecting duct has a double cylinder configuration of an elevating inner cylinder and an elevating outer cylinder provided outside the elevating inner cylinder, and the elevating inner cylinder is connected to a return path of hot air from the container, between the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder. The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a hot air supply path to the container is used, and the elevating inner cylinder and the elevating outer cylinder are integrated by a connecting member so as to be raised and lowered simultaneously. A telescopic outer cylinder that is connected to the upper part of the elevating outer cylinder and that can be bent in the vertical direction is provided, and a fixed inner cylinder that is overlapped with each other in the cylinder length direction of the elevating inner cylinder is connected to the fixed inner cylinder. The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the connecting duct can be moved up and down by sliding the inner cylinder in the vertical direction using the guide as a guide. The opening / closing mechanism includes an elevating plate that can be moved up and down, an opening provided in the elevating plate serving as a return path of hot air from the container to the hot air circulation unit, and an opening / closing plate that opens and closes the opening provided in the elevating plate. When the elevating plate is lowered, the opening / closing plate is slid in the horizontal direction to open the opening provided in the elevating plate from closed to open, and by the downward movement of the elevating plate from the opening on the container upper surface portion The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an opening serving as a hot air supply path from the hot air circulation unit to the container is formed. The elevating plate is urged upward by the urging means, and when the connecting duct is lowered, the elevating plate is lowered by the pressing force of the connecting duct against the urging force of the urging means, and when the connecting duct is raised 6. The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pressing force of the connecting duct is released and the lifting plate is raised by an upward biasing force by the biasing means. An upper case and a lower case fixedly arranged with a predetermined interval, a lifting plate that can be moved up and down between the upper case and the lower case, and a horizontal slide that opens and closes an opening provided in the lifting plate An opening / closing plate, a slide plate slidable in the horizontal direction of the lower case, a first link mechanism configured by connecting the opening / closing plate and the slide plate with a connecting plate via a rotation fulcrum member; A second link mechanism configured by connecting a plate and a slide plate with a connecting plate via a rotation fulcrum member, and by raising and lowering the lifting plate, via the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism, The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the opening / closing plate is slid. The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the elevating plate is in the raised position, the connecting plates included in the first link mechanism and the second link mechanism are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. The elevating plate has two openings and an opening / closing plate that opens and closes each opening, and includes a first link mechanism and a second link mechanism that slide each opening / closing plate. The tableware heating / disinfecting apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each opening is opened and closed by sliding in an approaching and separating direction. The lower end portion of the elevating inner cylinder is in contact with the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism and the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder is in contact with the upper surface portion of the container when the connecting duct is lowered. The tableware heating disinfection apparatus of Claim 1. When the position of the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder is lower than the position of the lower end of the elevating outer cylinder, and the connecting duct is lowered, the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder is brought into contact with the elevating plate of the opening / closing mechanism and lowered. The tableware heat disinfection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the lower end portion of the elevating outer cylinder comes into contact with the upper surface portion of the container after the plate is lowered by a predetermined distance. The tableware heating disinfection according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the outer periphery of the flange at the lower end of the elevating inner cylinder is made smaller than the opening at the top plate of the container by a predetermined dimension over the entire circumference. apparatus.