JP3926441B2 - Circulation conveyance path for food and drink supply - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a circulation-type conveyance path in which a conveyance speed for conveying food and drink, in particular, sushi and the like is variable.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a circulation-type conveyance path for food conveyance formed in an endless manner is provided along a counter or other dining table, and a container such as a plate in which articles such as food and drink, such as sushi, are arranged in this conveyance path Circulating and transporting type food counters that carry, transport and supply food can be eaten or cooked without the need for food or drinkers or chefs to move. It is widely used because it can eat and drink.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional circulation type conveyance path, the conveyance speed is set to be almost constant, and the food and drink are selected and taken out from the food and drink conveyed through the conveyance path. During busy periods, the consumption of food and drink may increase, making it impossible to supply sufficient food and drink. For this reason, the transport path may be doubled or the supply amount may be increased in multiple stages. However, these methods have a problem in that a new space is required to form a double row, and the transport path becomes large and expensive.
[0004]
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the supply amount of food and drink can be easily increased by using the conventional conveyance path without making the conveyance path double row or multi-stage. It aims at providing the circulation conveyance path for food-and-drink supply which can be made.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the food and beverage supply circulation transport path of the present invention has a detecting means for detecting the consumption of food and drink or the number of food and drinks in the circulation transport path for supplying food and drink to the food and drink. A cover member that can be opened and closed is provided on the transport path, and the means for detecting consumption of the food and drink detects the amount of consumption by detecting the opening of the cover member, Based on the consumption of food or drink or the number of food and drinks, the circulation speed of the circulation type conveyance path is variable.
According to this feature, by accelerating the circulation speed of the circulation type conveyance path based on the number of food or drink or the consumption of food and drink, the empty part on the conveyance path where the food and drink are taken can be quickly moved to the food input position. Since it becomes possible to return and throw in a new food and drink, supply amount can be increased. And since a cover member is open | released in conjunction with a food / beverage person taking out food / beverage from a conveyance path, it becomes possible to detect the consumption of food / beverage easily.
[0010]
In the food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path according to the present invention, it is preferable that the detection means for detecting the number of food and drink is an infrared sensor provided in each passenger seat.
If it does in this way, the infrared rays which a restaurant eats can be detected, and the presence or absence of the restaurant in each audience seat can be detected correctly.
[0011]
In the food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path according to the present invention, it is preferable that the infrared sensor is provided in a dining table bowl facing the restaurant.
If it does in this way, a restaurant and a sensor will be arrange | positioned adjacently, the said infrared sensor can prevent reacting to persons other than a passenger seat, and a more accurate restaurant detection is attained.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path according to the first embodiment.
[0014]
First, the food / drink supply circulation transport path of the present embodiment is configured to have the same external configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and is a circulation transport path, which is substantially the same as a conventional food / drink counter having a circulation transport path. The flat top chain conveyor 2 is endlessly arranged along the counter-1 and the portion on the right side of the broken line portion is a kitchen, and various sushi serving as food and drinks are sushi dishes in this kitchen. 3 and is fed from a slot 2 'on the flat top chain conveyor 2.
[0015]
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the bar code 4 based on the unique ID assigned to each sushi plate is provided on the sushi plate 3 which is a food and drink container used in this example. The bar code 4 can be read even when the sushi plate 3 is rotated on the flat top chain conveyor 2. .
[0016]
Around the flat top chain conveyor 2, as shown in FIG. 1, a reading device 5, which is a reading means for reading a bar code 4 provided on each sushi plate 3, 'And in the downstream part close to' and both sides of the seating position where the restaurant eats and drinks, each reading device is connected to the management computer 6 by a signal cable, and each reading device 5 is sushi. As the plate 3 passes, the sushi plate 3 is detected, the bar code 4 attached to the sushi plate 3 is read, the ID number is read and sent to the computer 6. It has become.
[0017]
Further, individual numbers (# 1, # 2,...) Are also assigned to the respective reading devices 5, and when each reading device 5 sends an ID number to the computer 6, this individual number is assigned. The computer 6 is adapted to manage the ID number data transmitted from each reading device 5 based on the leading number. Yes.
[0018]
The computer 6 is connected to each reading device 5 by the signal cable therein, and receives an ID data and the like from each reading device 5, and various operations and programs. Based on the central processing unit (CPU) 10 that performs various judgments and controls based on the above, each ID number data, etc., and data such as the type and number of appropriate sushi to be put on the conveyance path, The processing program executed by the CPU 10 is stored and stored in a storage device 11 including a memory or a hard disk, and a drive motor 15 that conveys and drives the crescent chain conveyor 2. A controller 14 that controls the display and a monitor 7 that is a display device that displays various types of information such as the number of sushi on the conveyance path and the speed of the conveyance path. It is mainly composed of a driver 12 and a touch panel driver 13 connected to a touch panel 8 provided on the display surface of the monitor 7 and performing input control from the touch panel 8. The monitor 7, drive motor 15, touch panel 8 Are connected to the reading device 5, respectively.
[0019]
The operation of the first embodiment will be described below. When the sushi plate 3 on which sushi is placed is inserted from the insertion port 2 ′ provided in the kitchen, the sushi plate 3 is The ID number is read and stored in the storage device 11 of the computer 6 and registered.
[0020]
Next, the sushi plate 3 is detected by each reading device 5 provided on both sides of the passenger seat on the side of the conveyance path, and the ID number is read, and when a food and drink takes out the sushi plate 3, Since these are no longer detected by the reading device 5, the computer 6 can determine at any time how many sushi plates 3 exist on the transport path and how much sushi is consumed.
[0021]
Based on the information on the number of sushi plates 3 and the amount of consumption of the sushi plates 3 on the above-described transport path, the computer 10 increases the consumption of food and drinks and decreases the number of sushi plates present. The controller 14 is instructed to increase the transport speed of the transport path, and the controller 14 increases the rotational speed of the drive motor 15 to improve the transport speed of the transport path.
[0022]
Further, in this embodiment, even when the consumption is reduced, the conveyance speed is reduced to a predetermined speed based on the same control, and the monitor 7 serving as the display device currently displays the current speed. Are automatically displayed, and an automatic and manual input unit is provided. When this manual display unit is pressed, this input is detected by the touch panel 8 provided on the surface of the monitor 7, and automatically. The transfer speed control is canceled and the transfer speed can be controlled by manual speed setting.In this way, when the number of food and drinks suddenly increases, the supply amount on the transfer path in advance is reduced. You can increase it.
[0023]
If it carries out like this Example 1, the amount of sushi which a restaurant consumes can be detected in real time by detecting a sushi plate on a conveyance path at any time, and based on this consumption information, a conveyance path By increasing the speed, it becomes possible to quickly return the empty space on the conveyance path where the sushi plate 3 can be loaded to the loading slot 2 'in a busy time etc. It can be improved, and a sufficient amount of sushi can be provided to restaurants.
[0024]
In the first embodiment, a large number of the reading devices are provided on the side of the conveyance path. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one reading device as the detecting means may be provided. However, it is preferable to provide a plurality of devices as in the first embodiment because more rapid detection is possible.
[0025]
Further, in the first embodiment, the bar code 4 based on the ID number is provided on the sushi plate 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, so long as the change in the quantity of the sushi plate 3 on the conveyance path can be detected. Therefore, other detection methods, for example, a detectable medium such as a dog may be provided on a plate or the like, and the change in the quantity may be detected by detecting the dog or the like to change the speed of the conveyance path.
[0026]
(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path of the second embodiment.
[0027]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the crescent chain conveyor 2 that conveys the sushi plate 3, a second crescent chain conveyor 16 that circulates and feeds a cup 17 to the lower position thereof. The hot water drink 17 is placed on the hot drink holder 16 and is circulated and supplied. The hot drink 17 is provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The empty drinking cup holder 16 is detected at any time, and the empty drinking cup holder 16 is replenished with the drinking cup 17, and a sensor for detecting the empty drinking cup holder 16 is a computer (not shown). )It is connected to the.
[0028]
The used hot water is collected by a collecting machine in the kitchen, and the number of collected hot water is counted.
[0029]
Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Since the number of empty hot water drinking holders 16 detected at the inlet 2 ′ matches the number of newly visited restaurants, the number of empty hot water drinking holders 16 is as follows. Since the number of visitors who have finished eating and drinking is measured by the collection machine, the current number of eating and drinking customers can be obtained by subtracting the number measured by the collection machine from the number of customers. It becomes possible to grasp at any time, and based on this information, when the number of food and drink is large, the circulation speed of the conveyance path can be increased and the supply of sushi can be improved as in the first embodiment. .
[0030]
In the second embodiment, the consumption of the hot water drinker 17 is detected by the above-described method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods, for example, placing the hot water drink on the hot water drink holder 18 are described. It is also possible to provide a detection sensor for detecting the presence of individual drinking water.
[0031]
(Example 3)
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path according to the third embodiment.
[0032]
In the third embodiment, a tunnel-like transparent cover 19 is provided at the upper part of the transport path so as to be opened and closed as shown in FIG. 3 over the entire position where the dining table 1 is provided on the transport path. A magnet 22 is provided at the center of the lower end portion of the transparent cover 19, and a reed switch 21 that operates by the proximity and separation of the magnet 22 is located at the position on the side of the conveyance path that contacts the transparent cover 19 when the transparent cover 19 is closed. Each reed switch 21 is connected to a counter connected to a computer (not shown), and the number of times of opening and closing is counted. The restaurant is automatically closed by grasping the handle 20 and lifting and opening it, and then releasing the hand.
[0033]
Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. When the restaurant finds the desired sushi and opens the transparent cover 19 to take it out from the conveyance path, the reed switch 21 is activated and the signal is sent to the counter. And counted.
[0034]
The numerical values of the signals counted by these counters are sent to the computer, and the opening / closing frequency of each transparent cover 19 is judged from the change in the numerical values from the counters. Based on this information, the numerical value from the counter is remarkably increased, and when the consumption of sushi is large, the computer controls the drive motor to control the conveyance speed in the same manner as in Example 1. By increasing it, the supply amount of sushi can be improved.
[0035]
In the third embodiment, the reed switch 21 is used as means for detecting the opening / closing of the transparent cover 19, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other opening / closing detection means are used. Also good.
[0036]
Example 4
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path according to the fourth embodiment.
[0037]
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, infrared rays generated by a person close to a predetermined distance are detected on the surface of the heel portion 24 close to the food and drink on the table 1. A sensor 23 is provided for each passenger seat, and each infrared sensor 23 is connected to a computer (not shown).
[0038]
The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. When the restaurant sits in the passenger seat, the infrared sensor 23 detects the infrared ray emitted by the restaurant and sends a signal, and based on this signal, the computer detects the current restaurant. The number of customers can be determined, and when the number of restaurants increases based on the information on the number of restaurants, the computer controls the drive motor to control the transport speed as in the first embodiment. To increase the amount of sushi.
[0039]
In addition, as in the fourth embodiment, providing the infrared sensor 23 in the heel part 24 close to the eating and drinking person on the dining table 1 makes the eating and drinking person and the infrared sensor 23 very close to each other. Can be reliably detected, and it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by infrared rays of other people such as the adjacent seat.
[0040]
In addition, the sensitivity of the infrared sensor 23 is preferably adjusted as appropriate so as not to react to other restaurants, class members, etc. moving around the outer periphery of the dining table. It is preferable that the detection signal from the infrared sensor 23 is continued for a predetermined time so that it is determined that there is a restaurant.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects.
[0042]
(A) According to the invention of claim 1, by rapidly increasing the circulation speed of the circulation-type conveyance path based on the number of food or drink or the consumption of food and drink, empty portions on the conveyance path where food and drink are taken can be quickly obtained. Since it becomes possible to return to the input part position of food and drinks and to input new foods and drinks, the supply amount can be increased. And since a cover member is open | released in response to a food / beverage person taking out food / beverage from a conveyance path, it becomes possible to detect the consumption of food / beverage easily.
[0047]
( B ) According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a food or drink at each customer seat by detecting infrared rays emitted by the food or drink.
[0048]
( C ) According to the invention of claim 3 , the restaurant and the sensor are arranged close to each other, the infrared sensor can be prevented from reacting to a person other than the audience seat, and the more accurate restaurant Detection is possible.
[0049]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a food and beverage supply circulation conveyance path in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Dining table 2 Transport path (flat top chain conveyor)
3 Sushi plate 4 Bar code 5 Reading device 6 (Management) Computer 7 Monitor 8 Touch panel 9 Interface unit 10 Central processing unit (CPU)
11 Storage Device 12 Display Driver 13 Touch Panel Driver 14 Controller 15 Drive Motor 16 Second Conveying Path (Flat Top Chain Conveyor)
17 Cup 18 Cup holder 19 Transparent cover 20 Handle 21 Reed switch 22 Magnet 23 Infrared sensor 24 Buttocks

Claims (3)

In the circulation-type conveyance path for supplying food and drink to the food and drink, the cover member that can detect the consumption of food and drink or the number of food and drinks and that can be opened and closed is provided on the conveyance path. The means for detecting consumption detects the amount of consumption by detecting the opening of the cover member, and the circulation speed of the circulation type conveying path is based on the consumption of food or drinks or the number of food and drinks. A circulatory conveyance path for supplying food and drink, which is variable.   The circulating conveyance path for food and drink supply according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means for detecting the number of food and drink is an infrared sensor provided in each passenger seat. The circulation conveyance path for food and drink supply according to claim 2 , wherein the infrared sensor is provided in a dining table bowl facing a restaurant.

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