JP4046467B2 - Food container supply method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a supply method and apparatus as may provide rapidly a food ordered to the customer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A sushi restaurant, commonly known as sushi sushi, uses a crescent chain conveyor-type circulating food and beverage transport device, which circulates by placing plates with sushi on many endlessly rotating stats. By carrying it, the customer can select his / her favorite sushi or the like while eating and drinking.
[0003]
However, in such a transport apparatus, since there is usually only one transport path, customers in the seats near the kitchen or the kitchen can always eat and drink by selecting their favorite from a variety of sushi dishes. However, there is a problem that unfairness arises because customers in the seats on the downstream side in the transport direction away from the kitchen or the like must select a favorite sushi plate from among the fewer sushi plates.
[0004]
As a result, customers who are away from the kitchen, etc., inevitably increase the degree of ordering their favorite sushi to cooks. Traditionally, employees carry the ordered sushi to the customer's seat each time. It was out.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As mentioned above, if the employee carries the ordered sushi to the customer's seat each time, it is burdensome for the employee and if the number of seats on the downstream side is crowded, wait. The service time is reduced due to longer time, and it is necessary to respond to customer orders by a plurality of employees, which increases the labor cost.
[0006]
The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and automatically and promptly provided the ordered food and drink container to the customer, thereby eliminating the feeling of unfairness with the upstream customer, An object of the present invention is to provide a food container supply method and apparatus capable of improving services and reducing labor costs through labor saving.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a method for supplying food and drink containers of articles according to the present invention is provided with a transport means that reciprocates or runs endlessly from a supply section of the food and drink containers toward a transport direction, and transports in the supply section. After placing the food and drink container on which the order from the customer is placed at a fixed position of the means, the transport means is operated to transport the food and drink container to the vicinity of the ordering customer , and an endless transport path is provided. The transfer means is provided inwardly surrounded by the transfer path .
According to the method of the above configuration, the food and drink container ordered by the customer is directly and automatically provided to the ordering customer by a transportation means different from the normal transportation path, so that the unfairness to the downstream customer is felt. It can be eliminated and labor saving can be achieved.
[0008]
In the above method, it is preferable that the moving speed of the conveying means is higher than the circulating conveying speed of the conveying path, or the height of the conveying surface of the conveying means is slightly higher than the conveying surface of the conveying path.
If it does in this way, since it distinguishes from the food / beverage container of a normal conveyance path, food / beverage containers are not taken by customers other than an ordering customer in the middle of conveyance.
[0009]
Moreover, in order to achieve the said objective, the supply apparatus of the food / beverage container of this invention is provided so that it can reciprocate or run endlessly toward a conveyance direction from the supply part of a food / beverage container, It is detected that the conveying means having a holding part for the food and drink container at a fixed position and the food and drink container placed and conveyed on the holding part have reached the vicinity of the ordering customer and temporarily moves the conveying means. And a detecting means for stopping.
According to the apparatus of the said structure, the ordered food-and-drink container can be reliably supplied to an order customer with a comparatively simple apparatus.
[0010]
In the above apparatus, it is preferable that the detection means is provided for each seat of the customer and includes a non-contact sensor that detects the presence or absence of a food container on the holding unit.
If it does in this way, the presence or absence of a food container can be detected reliably and forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor etc. of a conveyance means can be easily controlled based on the detection signal.
[0011]
In the above apparatus, it is preferable to cover the periphery of the transport surface of the transport means with a tunnel-shaped cover having a plurality of open / close doors on the passenger seat side.
If it does in this way, the food-and-drink container currently conveyed by the conveyance means can be supplied to an order customer more reliably.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG.1 and FIG.2 shows the circulation type food and drink conveying apparatus (henceforth abbreviated as conveying apparatus) 2 provided with 1st Embodiment of the supply apparatus 1 of the food / beverage container of this invention, The conveying apparatus 2 is shown in FIG. The sushi is made of a known crescent chain conveyor type, which is constructed by pivoting a large number of half-moon-like stats 3 on the upper part of the chain 4 and is placed on an endless conveyance path 5 formed on the stat 3 The tray 6 is circulated and conveyed.
[0014]
The rear end of the conveyance path 5 circulates in the kitchen 7 which is a supply part of the sushi plate 6, and sushi and the like cooked therein are placed on the sushi plate 6 and placed on the conveyance path 5. Circulated in the direction.
[0015]
A food counter 8 is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path 5, that is, on the side of the straight conveyance path 5 a on the forward path side, and a number of chairs 9 are disposed on the side thereof.
[0016]
On the other hand, on the downstream side of the conveyance path 5, that is, on the side of the straight conveyance path 5b on the return path side, a plurality of tables 10 and chairs 9 that can be used by a large number of customers such as groups and families are installed at predetermined intervals. Has been.
[0017]
The supply device 1 is linearly provided in a central space surrounded by the conveyance path 5, that is, between the left and right straight conveyance paths 5 a and 5 b in parallel with it.
[0018]
The supply device 1 includes a conveying means that reciprocates endlessly between the left and right frames 11, that is, a belt conveyor 12, and a motor 14 that can rotate forward and backward to rotate a driving roller 13 at the front end thereof. By rotating the driving roller 13 forward and backward by the V belt 17 wound around the driven pulley 15 of 13 and the driving pulley 16 of the motor 14, the belt conveying surface 12a on the upper side of the belt conveyor 12 is reciprocated in the front-rear direction. It has become so. The reciprocating speed of the belt conveying surface 12a is slightly faster than the conveying path 5 of the conveying device 2.
[0019]
The belt conveyance surface 12a is slightly higher than the conveyance path 5 of the conveyance device, and is distinguished from the sushi plate 6 that is always conveyed.
[0020]
A concave holding plate 18 for positioning and placing the ordered sushi plate 6 is fixed at a fixed position on the upper surface of the rear end portion located in the supply section in the kitchen 7 on the belt conveying surface 12a ( (See FIG. 2).
[0021]
A detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sushi plate 6 conveyed on the belt conveyance surface 12a at a position corresponding to the central portion of each table 10 on the upper surface of the guide frame 19 on the downstream side in the conveyance device 2 20 is supported by the bracket 21.
[0022]
A detection sensor 22 for detecting the presence or absence of the holding plate 18 fixed to the belt conveying surface 12a is attached to a bracket (not shown) on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the guide frame 19 located in the kitchen 7.
[0023]
The detection sensors 20 and 22 are preferably light-reflective non-contact photoelectric sensors, for example, and both sensors 20 and 22 are electrically connected to the motor 14 via a control device (not shown).
[0024]
Next, the supply method of the sushi plate 6 using the said supply apparatus 1 is demonstrated.
[0025]
When the sushi plate 6 is sequentially placed on the transport path 5 of the transport apparatus 2 from the kitchen 7, and more of them are taken by the customer on the counter 8 side while transporting the transport path 5a on the upstream side, the table 10 side on the downstream side A sufficient amount of sushi plate 6 will not be supplied to customers.
[0026]
At this time, the customer on the side of the table 10 orders favorite sushi or the like through the employee or a microphone provided on the table 10.
[0027]
Then, in the kitchen 7, the cook stops the sushi plate 6 with the ordered sushi or the like in the kitchen 7 of the supply device 1 and waits for the holding plate 18 on the belt conveying surface 12 a of the belt conveyor 12. Place on top.
[0028]
Then, on a control panel (not shown) or the like provided in the kitchen 7, the ordered table 10 is designated, the corresponding detection sensor 20 is activated, and the operation switch (not shown) of the belt conveyor 12 is activated. ) Is turned on, the motor 14 is rotated forward, and the belt conveying surface 12a is moved forward.
[0029]
Accordingly, the ordered sushi plate 6 on the holding plate 18 is conveyed from the position of the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 toward the order table, for example, the frontmost table 10, and the sushi plate 6 is detected by the frontmost detection sensor 20. When the position reaches this position, the detection sensor 20 is activated, the motor 14 is stopped by the output signal, and the belt conveyor 12 is also stopped.
[0030]
Therefore, the customer at the frontmost table 10 can eat and drink the ordered sushi plate 6.
[0031]
When the sushi plate 6 is removed from the holding plate 18, the detection sensor 20 detects the sushi plate 6, whereby a reverse rotation signal is issued to the motor 14 and the belt conveyance surface 12 a of the belt conveyor 12 moves backward. When the detection sensor 22 detects that the holding plate 18 has reached a fixed position in the kitchen 7, the motor 14 is stopped and the belt conveyor 12 is also stopped to prepare for the next conveyance of the sushi plate 6.
[0032]
In this way, even if an order is placed from any of the customers on the table 10 on the downstream side, the sushi plate 6 can be stopped to the side to quickly respond to the customer's order.
[0033]
In the above, since the ordered sushi plate 6 is transported at a slightly higher speed in a position higher than the normal transport path 5, it is recognized by the customer that the sushi plate 6 is different from the normal sushi plate 6. It will not be taken by customers other than the upstream side or order table.
[0034]
In order to reliably prevent the ordered sushi plate 6 from being taken by other customers, a tunnel-like transparent cover 23 as shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the upper end of the frame 11 of the belt conveyor 12, and each table thereof is installed. 10 may be opened so that only customers on the order table 10 can take the sushi plate 6 on the belt conveying surface 12a.
[0035]
In addition, when providing such a cover 23, what is necessary is just to open the part facing each detection sensor 20 and 22 in the right side surface.
[0036]
4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the supply device. Instead of the belt conveyor 12, the movable holding plate 28 is moved back and forth in the guide groove 27 in the center of the guide rail 26 facing in the front-rear direction. The sushi plate 6 placed on the holding plate 28 is transported to the order table 10 in the same manner as described above by fitting the movable holding plate 28 back and forth by the reciprocating drive means. Is.
[0037]
The reciprocating driving means includes a V belt 29 having both ends connected to the front and rear ends of the movable holding plate 28, a pair of front and rear pulleys 30 and 30 around which the belt is wound, and a motor 31 that drives the front pulley 30. ing. The motor 31 is electrically connected to the detection sensors 20 and 22 (not shown in this embodiment) similar to those described above.
[0038]
Also in the second embodiment, the ordered sushi plate 6 can be conveyed to the side of the order table 10 by the same method as described above.
[0039]
In this embodiment, instead of the V belt 29, a rope such as a wire rope or a chain can be used.
[0040]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the detection sensor 20 is used as means for stopping the ordered sushi plate 6 on the side of the order table 10, but instead of this sensor 20, the moving distance of the belt conveyance surface 12 a or the V belt 29. May be controlled to stop the sushi plate 6 at a fixed position.
[0042]
That is, a rotation sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the motor 14 or 31 is provided, and the rotation speed and the movement distance of the holding plates 18 and 28 to each table 10 are set in advance, and the order table 10 is set by the control device. When designated, if the rotation sensor detects that the motors 14 and 31 have rotated by the corresponding number of rotations and stops, the sushi plate 6 placed on the holding plates 18 and 28 is moved to the order table 10. Can be transported.
[0043]
In order to return the holding plates 18 and 28 to the fixed positions, the motors 14 and 31 may be rotated reversely after a predetermined time by a timer or the like.
[0044]
Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, instead of reciprocating the belt conveying surface 12a in the front-rear direction, the entire belt conveyor 12 is run endlessly and fixed to the belt surface at regular intervals. Any one of the holding plates 18 having the above may be always stopped at the position of the sensor 22 in the kitchen 7.
[0045]
In the above embodiment, the sushi plate 6 ordered only to the downstream table customer is supplied. However, if a detection sensor is provided in a portion corresponding to each chair 9 on the upstream side, the counter customer can be ordered. Of course, it is possible to respond.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects.
[0047]
(A) According to the method described in claim 1, since the food and drink container ordered by the customer is directly and automatically provided to the ordering customer by the transport means different from the normal transport path, it is particularly downstream. Unfairness to customers on the other side disappears, leading to improved service. In addition, labor savings can be achieved and labor costs can be reduced.
[0048]
(B) According to the method of the second aspect, since the food container is distinguished from the normal food container, the food container in the middle of conveyance is not taken by customers other than the ordering customer.
[0049]
(C) According to the method described in claim 3, since there is no fear that the customer's clothes and the like touch the food or drink on the normal conveyance path, it becomes hygienic.
[0050]
(D) According to the device of the fourth aspect , the ordered food and drink container can be reliably provided to the ordering customer with a relatively simple device.
[0051]
(E) According to the apparatus described in claim 5, the presence or absence of the food and drink container can be reliably detected, and the rotation of the drive motor of the transport means can be easily controlled based on the output signal. The reciprocal movement is performed accurately.
[0052]
(F) According to the apparatus described in claim 6, when the food / drink container is exhausted, it is possible to reversely feed the conveying unit and return the holding unit for the food / drink container to the supply unit side. Preparations for transporting food and drink containers can be made.
[0053]
(G) According to the apparatus of the seventh aspect, the movement of the conveyance means is temporarily performed by the conveyance movement distance of the conveyance means without using the detection means for detecting that the food and drink container has reached the vicinity of the ordering customer. Can be stopped.
(H) According to the apparatus of the eighth aspect, since the transfer movement distance can be calculated from the number of rotations of the motor, the food and drink container can be accurately transferred to the vicinity of the ordering customer.
(I) According to the apparatus described in claim 9, since the motor rotates reversely after a certain period of time during which the movement of the conveying means is temporarily stopped, the holding portion of the food container is returned to the supply portion side. In order to be able to do so, preparations for the transportation of the next food and drink container can be made.
(J) According to the apparatus of the tenth aspect, the food and drink container being conveyed by the conveying means can be reliably supplied by the ordering customer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a circulating food and beverage transport apparatus including a first embodiment of a supply apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the belt conveyance surface is covered with a tunnel-like cover.
FIG. 4 is also a plan view showing a second embodiment of the supply device.
5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 2 Conveyance apparatus 3 Stat 4 Chain 5 Conveyance path 5a, 5b Straight conveyance path 6 Sushi plate (food container)
7 Kitchen 8 Eating and drinking counter 9 Chair 10 Table 11 Frame 12 Belt conveyor (conveying means)
12a Belt conveying surface 13 Driving roller 14 Motor 15 Pulley 16 Driving pulley 17 V belt 18 Holding plate (holding portion)
19 guide frame 20 detection sensor 21 bracket 22 detection sensor 23 cover 24 outlet 25 opening / closing door 26 guide rail 27 guide groove 28 moving holding plate (holding portion)
29 V-belt 30 Pulley 31 Motor

Claims (10)

A transport means that reciprocates or runs endlessly in the transport direction from the supply section of the food and drink container is provided, and the food and drink container on which an order from the customer is placed is placed at a fixed position of the transport means in the supply section. After that, the transport means is operated to transport the food and drink container to the vicinity of the ordering customer , and an endless transport path is provided, and the transport means is provided inwardly surrounded by the transport path. A method for supplying food and drink containers. The method for supplying a food container according to claim 1 , wherein the moving speed of the conveying means is higher than the circulating conveying speed of the conveying path. The method for supplying food and drink containers according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the height of the conveying surface of the conveying means is slightly higher than the conveying surface of the conveying path.   A transport means provided so as to be able to reciprocate or endlessly run in the transport direction from the food container supply section, and has a food container holding section at a fixed position of the supply section, and is placed on the holding section A food and beverage container supply device comprising: a detecting unit that detects that the food and beverage container being conveyed has reached the vicinity of the ordering customer and temporarily stops the movement of the conveying unit.   The supply device for food and drink containers according to claim 4, wherein the detection means is provided for each seat of the customer and comprises a non-contact sensor that detects the presence or absence of the food and drink containers on the holding unit. The food container according to claim 5, wherein after the movement of the conveying unit is temporarily stopped, the detecting unit detects that the food container on the holding unit is gone, and thereby the conveying unit is reversely fed. Feeding device. A transport means provided so as to be able to reciprocate or endlessly run in the transport direction from the food container supply section, and having a food container holding section at a fixed position of the supply section, and each order table from the supply section The transport movement distance is set in advance, and the transport means transports the food and drink container placed and transported on the holding portion by the transport travel distance set in advance according to the order table. The food / beverage container supply apparatus characterized by temporarily stopping the movement of the food and drink. The food container supply apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transport unit is transport-driven by rotation of a motor that can rotate forward and backward, and the transport movement distance is calculated based on the number of rotations of the motor. The apparatus for supplying food and drink containers according to claim 8, wherein the motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions reversely rotates after a certain period of time during which the movement of the conveying means is temporarily stopped. 10. The food container supply device according to claim 4 , wherein the periphery of the conveying surface of the conveying means is covered with a tunnel-shaped cover having a plurality of opening / closing doors on the seat side of the customer.

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