JPS62251689A - Fork and knife detector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generates a magnetic field in the flow of garbage, connects a sensor to detect changes in this magnetic field, This invention relates to a fork and knife detector for dishwashers and food waste receptacles, which is designed to indicate if a food item (such as a dishwasher) has accidentally entered the food waste stream.

In a restaurant, when a table is cleared, the cleared items are taken to the dishwasher area. Those things that have been put away are divided into several streams.In the 0-order area, food scraps are separated from forks, knives, and tableware, where table covers and the like are put away and sent for washing. Forks, knives and food scraps both go to the dishwasher, but are typically separated into separate streams in the food waste separation area.

In the food waste separation area, food waste and other waste are passed through the blooms and placed into waste receiving cans. Due to their relative dimensions, forks and knives may be accidentally ejected through the apertures along with food waste. In this way, there is a considerable possibility that forks and knives will be lost, and if that happens, economic losses will be incurred.

Forks and knives in the food waste stream can be collected as long as they are detected, so there is no need to mechanically separate them from the food waste. Furthermore, when the composite passes through a magnetic field, the magnetic field changes, but since many forks and knives are non-magnetic, they cannot be separated by a strong magnetic field.

Therefore, detection alone is sufficient.

To summarize for the purpose of understanding the present invention, the present invention relates to a fork and knife detector for dishwashers and food waste bins, and this detector separates forks and knives from food waste entering the food waste bin. The device is equipped with a coil that generates a magnetic field in the flow of food waste, and a sensor that is connected to the coil and generates a signal that indicates when a fork or knife passes through the magnetic field. The magnetic field can be radial, helical or axial with respect to the direction of garbage flow. The magnetic field may also be located in a special garbage container lid with an opening or located under the opening of the dishwasher supply table.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a fork in the food waste stream;
To provide a fork and knife detector that detects knives and generates a signal indicating that the fork and knives have passed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the fork and knife detector of the present invention, particularly suitable for use with food waste bins. The detector 10 comprises a series of coils 12 for generating a magnetic field, these coils 12 being connected via sensors and amplifiers 14 carried on cards 16 directly associated with them. As best shown in FIG. 1, coil 12 forms a ring defining an aperture 18. As best seen in FIG. The opening is in the jaw 20 of the garbage container 21. As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical collar 22 is elastically inserted into the opening of the lid of the garbage container. The coil 12 is located in an annular groove around the lower interior of the collar. The cover 26 confines the coil and also confines the card 16 carrying the circuitry. Cable 28 conveys the output of the amplifier to signal unit 30.

In the dishwasher area of the kitchen, a mixture of food waste, dishes, forks, knives, etc. is brought to the food waste container 21. An operator shovels the food waste into the food waste container through an opening in the collar 22. It should be noted that the upper edge 32 of the collar is made sufficiently higher than the height of the coil 12 to prevent the scraping tool from entering the effective area of the coil 12 during scraping operations. A single fork or knife is often used during scraping work.
The height of its upper edge 32 prevents the raking tool from entering the effective magnetic field area of the coil. Therefore, the raking tool will not be detected as a single fork or knife in the garbage stream.

FIG. 12 shows that coil 12 is connected to a sensor and preamplifier circuit 14 directly associated therewith. The coil 12 consists of two magnetic loops, one of which creates a magnetic field, and the other magnetic loop detects changes in the magnetic field when a fork or knife passes through the magnetic field.

Signals from the coil are sent to a sensor, which senses changes in the magnetic field. A directly associated preamplifier increases the signal level to a value that can be transmitted over coaxial cable 28. Detector 34 receives the amplified signal and identifies when the coil exhibits a change in the magnetic field associated with the passage of a fork or knife, causing detector 34 to generate an output. The signal from the sensing IC 34 is sent to a timer 36 which generates an output of a predetermined length appropriate to the length of the audio output signal. This timer turns on audio tone generator 38 which provides output to audio amplifier 40 which drives speaker 42. tf! The X44 provides power for these functions. Detector 34 also provides its output to an event counter 46, and the output of this counter 46 is provided to a display 48. Display 48 is preferably a digital display; these counters 46 and display 48 are also powered by the JQ 44. The purpose of this display is to determine the number of events sensed by coil 12 (
This corresponds to the number of forks, knives, etc. that passed through the coil 12 and entered the garbage container together with the garbage. This digital display indicates the worker's level of attention. In order to identify the worker, the event counter 46 is provided with reset means 50 so that it can be reset to zero each time a worker is replaced. This reset means 50 may have a lock or may be located in the manager's room. A digital display 48 may be installed in the manager's room.

It is preferable to install the speaker 42 in a place where the worker can hear it, so that the worker can collect forks, knives, etc. that have passed through the coil.

2 and 3 show details of a coil structure 12 that generates a series of radial magnetic fields within a generally circular aperture. A series of spools 52, 54 and 56 (actually more, but only three are shown in the drawing for convenience) are formed on a flexible backing member 58. Coils are wound onto these spools using magnet wire 60 in successive opposite directions.

At least two coil circuits are provided, one of which
Preferably, the spools generate a series of direct current magnetic fields each having an axis passing through the spool. Winding the coils in opposite directions on the spool alternates the polarity. A card 16 is attached to the backing member and connected to a coil that responds to changes in the magnetic field. The backing member is bent and inserted into the groove 24, and the cover 26 is placed over it. In this way, a series of radial magnetic fields will be generated about an upright axis passing through the aperture 18. This series of radial magnetic fields has the advantage that a set of interlocking 611 fields is generated that completely fills the aperture 18 without extending too far in the F direction from the upper edge 32 of the collar.

FIG. 4 shows a collar 62 having an external shoulder 64, similar to that shown in FIG. A collar passes through the lid 20 in contact with the lid 20.

An annular coil holder 66 is embedded in the collar 62. A helical coil 68 is wound around this coil holder in a suitable groove. The coil holder carries a card 70 which carries the same sensor and preamplifier circuitry as card 16. Card 70 is connected to signal unit 30 by cable 72 in the same manner as cable 28. The helical coil has the advantage of generating a helical magnetic field that fills the open lower portion 4 of the collar 62 without significantly extending upwardly from the upper edge 76 of the collar.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment in which collar 78 is interchangeable with collars 22 and 62. Collar 78 is annular with a central opening 80 and an external shoulder 82, and the collar is engaged within the opening of lid 20 with shoulder 82 engaging the top of the M2O. Color 78 is
The coil spool 8 serves as a holder for the magnet wire 86 which provides two separate coil circuits.
It is equipped with 4. Magnet wire is spool 84
wrapped in a shallow groove on the outside of the

The simple winding of the coil with magnet wire 86 facilitates the winding of the coil, but the magnetic field generated thereby is in the axial direction of the central aperture 80. The card 8th carries a sensor, and this sensor
It senses changes in the current flowing through the coil in response to changes in the magnetic field. The card 8B also includes a preamplifier for generating a signal on a cable 90 that can be connected to the signal unit 30. Each of the different coils shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 may be incorporated into a collar that fits into an opening in a garbage receptacle cover. Various magnetic field shapes can be used depending on the sensitivity required for a particular alloy content or forks and knives of particular dimensions. The upper edge 92 of the collar 78 may be made higher than the coil shown in FIG. 7 because the magnetic field generated by the coil tends to have a greater axial height.

8 to 11 show the detection device 92, and this detection! a M 92 is incorporated into a table 94 that is part of the input to the dishwasher.

Table 94 is a stainless steel table to which the mixed material is sent. A collar 96 is located in the opening in the table top. A garbage container 98 is arranged below this opening. In a typical application, an operator receives the mixed stream and separates food 23111 and forks and knives from the garbage at table 94. Garbage goes through the collar 96 into the garbage bin, and tableware, forks, and knives go into the dishwasher. Of course, color 96 is color 22.62 or 78
A coil in any one of the coils may be included. However, due to the close proximity of the stainless steel table top, more control over the magnetic field is desirable. A square frame 100 has its central opening 102 aligned with the lower garbage opening of the collar 96;
It is fixed under the table 94. FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the quadrangular frame. Each of the square frames has a cavity, with the near side 104 of the frame having a cavity 106. A rectangular coil spool 108 is disposed within the cavity 106 . Magnet wire wound on the outside of this coil spool provides at least two coils 110 for the aforementioned purposes. One of the coils induces a magnetic field, and the other coil senses changes in the magnetic field. Card 112 is attached directly to the coil spool and carries circuitry for sensing current changes due to changes in the magnetic field, as well as carrying a signal amplifier.

Connected to these coils are cables 14, whose knobs 114 are the same as cables 28 and are intended for connection to the signal unit 30. An important part of this structure is that at least one side has a rectangular frame 100.
The coil spool 108 is carried on pivot axes 16 and 118 that protrude from the coil spool 108. 11th
As shown, the coil spool 108 has a gap within the cavity +06 and the external pivot 7) axis 11
By grasping 6, the coil is rotated. In the central position shown, the magnetic field, as shown by the radial magnetic field lines 120 in FIG.
It becomes radial. By gripping and adjusting the coil spools by their external pivot axes, the magnetic field is directed upwardly and radially upwardly into a generally conical shape and downwardly as shown by field lines 120. It can be made into a conical shape. The four coils 11 shown in FIG.
0.122.124 and 126 are each individually adjustable. Adjustments are made empirically to maximize sensitivity to forks and knives falling through the central opening 102 even in the presence of a nearby stainless steel table top 94.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view showing a first preferred embodiment of a fork and knife detector for a food waste container according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1; 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a coil that generates a helical magnetic field, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the above device, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a coil used in the embodiment of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a coil used in the embodiment of FIG. An inverted top view of a second preferred embodiment of a fork and knife detector according to the invention together with a dishwasher supply table; FIG. 9 shows a magnetic field particularly suitable for use in the embodiment of FIG. 8; A diagram showing the coil structure, Figure 10 is 1 of the coil in the m8 diagram.
FIG.
1 shows an end view of the coil of FIG. 10 taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9; FIG. 12 shows a fork according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical system of the knife detection device. In the drawing, IO is a detector, 12 is a coil, 14 is a sensor and preamplifier circuit, 18 is an opening, 21 is a food waste container, 20 is its lid, 22 is a collar, 26 is a cover,
30 is a signal unit, 32 is an upper edge of the collar, 42 is a speaker, 46 is a counter, 48 is a display, 52.5
4.56 indicates a spool, and 60 indicates a magnet wire.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An annular collar having an opening for passing food waste; means for generating a magnetic field within the collar; and means for sensing changes in the magnetic field within the collar; The means are connected to a signaling device such that if a fork, knife, etc. is included in the flow of food waste passing through the collar, said signaling device generates a signal indicating that a fork, knife, etc. is missing. Fork and knife detector. 2. It has an upper edge and an opening of sufficient size to allow food waste to pass through, and is adapted to be attached to the opening of the lid of the food waste container, and when the lid is placed on the food waste container. ,
an annular collar adapted to allow food waste to enter the food waste receptacle through the collar; and a plurality of spools disposed radially around the collar below the upper edge of the collar. The spools are spaced apart from each other and are wound with wire so that the winding direction for adjacent spools is opposite, and when the wire is energized, the adjacent spools have opposite polarities. The coils are adapted to generate a radial magnetic field, the windings forming a plurality of coils generating a plurality of radially oriented magnetic fields, the coils generating a magnetic field passing through an aperture in the collar. The sensor is connected to the coil and detects a change in the magnetic field caused by a fork or knife passing through the collar. The sensor is mounted on the collar adjacent to at least one of the collars, and the sensor is connected to a device that generates a signal when a fork, knife, etc. passes the collar, and this signal causes a display device to be activated. is actuated, thereby causing the fork,
A fork and knife detector capable of detecting when a knife passes through the collar. 3. a collar having an upper edge and an opening, the collar being arranged within the opening of the lid of the food waste receptacle to allow the food waste to be introduced into the receptacle; and a carried spool, the spool being an annular spool extending around the opening, the spool having a helically wound conductive wire thereon;
When a direct current is applied to the wire, a spiral magnetic field is generated, and a magnetic field sensing coil is spirally wound around the annular spool, and changes in the magnetic field within the coil spool are provided. further comprising a sensor mounted on the coil spool and directly connected to the sensor coil, the sensor having an output connected to a signal generator, The signal generator has an output connected to a display device, and when a fork or knife passes through the collar, the display device is activated. 4. An annular collar having an opening formed therethrough and adapted to be attached to the garbage container lid, and an annular coil spool having an opening formed therethrough. The food waste container lid has an opening formed through it, and is attached to the food waste container so that the food waste that has passed through the collar enters the food waste container. , the collar has an upper edge higher than the garbage receptacle lid, and the annular coil spool is mounted on the collar such that garbage passing through the collar passes through the coil spool. and further includes an annular magnetic field generating coil wound on the coil spool, a magnetic field sensing coil wound on the coil spool, and a magnetic field sensing coil connected to the magnetic field sensing coil and passing through the opening. A sensor that detects forks and knives,
A fork/knife detector is provided, the output of which is connected to a signal generator that generates a signal when a fork/knife passes through the collar. .