NL2012582A - Galley container comprising a dispenser. - Google Patents
Galley container comprising a dispenser. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2012582A NL2012582A NL2012582A NL2012582A NL2012582A NL 2012582 A NL2012582 A NL 2012582A NL 2012582 A NL2012582 A NL 2012582A NL 2012582 A NL2012582 A NL 2012582A NL 2012582 A NL2012582 A NL 2012582A
- Authority
- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- container
- board kitchen
- support element
- end walls
- kitchen container
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B31/00—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/0007—Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B31/00—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons
- A47B2031/002—Catering trolleys
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B31/00—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons
- A47B2031/004—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons having four vertical uprights
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B31/00—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons
- A47B2031/004—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons having four vertical uprights
- A47B2031/005—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons having four vertical uprights with movable trays
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Devices For Warming Or Keeping Food Or Tableware Hot (AREA)
Description
GALLEY CONTAINER COMPRISING A DISPENSER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a galley container or a trolley, in particular a galley cart for use in an airplane, comprising a dispenser mechanism for dispensing the content of the galley container. The invention is furthermore related to a method for serving meals in an aircraft. 2. Description of the Related Art
During short or long journeys in a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, passengers are usually provided with at least a beverage or a snack. For this purpose, food or drink products or meals are carried on board of the vehicle, for example an airplane, in galley containers that can be stored in the onboard galleys. The galley container can be a galley trolley provided with wheels for transportation.
For the flight attendant, the galley container is one of the main tools when serving the passengers. But serving the contents form the galley container involves a lot of bending and kneeling to reach the meals near the bottom of the galley container or near an opposite side of a galley container. Bending the back and/or knees in a compact space puts a lot of strain to the physique of the flight attendant and could cause physical complaints or even injuries.
In many work fields, ergonomics are becoming more and more important. This is also the case for the work of flight attendants.
In addition, it is desired to increase the efficiency in serving the passengers, especially on short flights where only short time is available to serve all passengers. Additionally, increasing the serving efficiency leaves more time for other tasks of the flight attendant.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a galley container that alleviates at least some of the perceived inconveniences of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a galley container for use in an aircraft, the galley container being provided with a lifting device to deliver a stack of individual meals to a dispensing location of the galley container.
The individual meals can be provided in boxes or other stackable packages. The meal are individually stacked on or within the galley container. Alternatively, the meals can be stacked in a cartridge or cassette, which is placed in or on the galley container. The stacking of the meals can be in one direction, for example a height direction, or in two directions, for example in the height direction and a direction perpendicular to the height direction, or in three directions, being the height direction and two perpendicular directions.
Preferably, the galley container can be converted to a trolley to collect trash or waste. Upon loading of the waste, the lifting device can move in an opposite direction than for dispensing the individual meals. Alternatively, the lifting device can be blocked in a relatively low position, such that an additional collecting body, such as a waste bag, can be installed within the galley container.
According to a preferred embodiment, a control mechanism to control the movement of the lifting device to a desired height is provided. Such a control mechanism can comprise a control element, such as a push button, to release a blocking mechanism that blocks the lifting device at a desired height, to either resume or start the movement of the lifting device. This control mechanism can be arranged to stepwise control the movement of the lifting device, or to have a continuous movement of the lifting device as long as the control mechanism is actuated through the control element.
According to an embodiments, the galley container comprises an interior that is enclosed by at least two container end walls, wherein a lifting device is provided within the interior, the lifting device comprising a support element, wherein the support element is movable from a stacking location to the dispensing location.
In case the galley container can be converted to a trash container, it is preferred that the movement of the support element can be blocked by the blocking mechanism in a relatively low position. The blocking mechanism can be controlled by the control mechanism. The blocking mechanism can be provided either on the support element or at the galley container or on both.
Alternatively, or additionally, the support element is provided with a movable lid that can be opened to provide an opening to put waste through. Underneath the support element a foldable waste collecting body can then be provided.
Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette used to stack the meals in can be used to collect waste.
Preferably, the galley container and/or the lifting device are manufactured from any lightweight material, preferably with good strength to weight ratios, such as aluminium, a polymer or a composite material. The cartridge or cassette can be made of a lightweight material, similar as above, or cardboard.
After removing an uppermost meal from the top of the stack, the lifting device shifts the stack upwards so that a next meal takes the position of the uppermost meal. In this way, the stacked meals can be served by the flight-attendant from the dispensing location.
Preferably, the lifting device comprises a guide element, wherein the support element is movable along the guide element from the stacking position in a relatively low position to the dispensing location in a relatively high position.
According to a further embodiment, the galley container comprises a container base element and a container roof element, wherein the container base element and the container roof element are connected to the end walls, wherein the dispensing location is located at at least one of the container end walls and container roof element, wherein the at least one of the container end walls and container roof element is provided with a closure element at the dispensing location, which closure element is movable from a closed position to an open position to reach the interior of the container.
The end walls are preferably a container front wall and a container back wall, but can also be arranged as sidewalls. More preferred is that the galley container comprises four end walls, such that to each side of the container front wall and container back wall a sidewall is provided, fully enclosing the interior of the galley container on six sides. The lifting device is provided for lifting contents in the interior of the galley container in use from a lower position to a higher position, such that a flight attendant serving the contents to the passengers can reach the contents from the higher position and does not need to bend over and/or kneel to reach for the contents of the galley container near the container base element. When in use, the interior is filled from the container base element to the container roof element with the contents, the support element will be near the container base element. While taking out the contents from the opening, the lifting device will move the support element with the contents on the support element towards the container roof element. When most of the contents has been taken out, and the galley container is nearly empty, the support element will be at a position near the container roof element.
According to another embodiment, the closure element comprises a hatch that is movable with respect to one of the end walls from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.
The hatch can be movable by pivoting along a pivoting axis. This pivoting axis can be located at any location between the container front wall and container back wall, preferably at the sidewalls between the container front wall and the container back wall. A preferred location of the pivoting axis is near one of the end walls, such that the hatch can have a maximal length equal to the distance between the end walls. When the hatch is then pivoted to the open position along the pivoting axis near one of the end walls, the interior can be reached through an opening which periphery is defined by the end walls. This has the advantage that all contents of the galley container, from back to front, can be reached by the flight attendant without the need to bend over, kneel or overstretch the arms.
Preferably, the at least two end walls are opposite each other and the galley container comprises guides extending between one end wall and the other end wall, such that the hatch is slidable along the guides in a direction perpendicular to the end walls from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.
The guides can be rails or grooves, preferably extending over the entire distance between the end walls, i.e. from one end wall to the other. After sliding the hatch to the open position, the hatch can be used as a support surface for food or drink products, or any other object in need of support. The hatch can comprise a first portion of the container roof element that can be slid over a second portion of the container roof element. Preferably, the hatch comprises the entire container roof element. In that case, when the hatch is slid to the open position along the entire distance between the end walls, the interior can be reached through an opening which periphery is defined by the end walls. This has the advantage that all contents of the galley container, from back to front, can be reached by the flight attendant without the need to bend over, kneel or overstretch the arms.
According to a preferred embodiment, one of the end walls comprises a door movable between an open and a closed position for access to the interior, wherein the door comprises at least a portion of the end wall. Preferably, the closure element is provided in the door, the closure element being provided at or near a top portion of the door, wherein the closure element is movable from a closed position in which the closure element and the door form a unit, to an open position in which an opening is formed within the top portion of the door.
In addition to or as an alternative to the hatch at the container roof element, the galley container can be provided with a door that at least partly replaces one of the end walls. The door can be opened to access the interior of the galley container. Preferably, the door is provided with a closure element at a top portion. The door and the closure element can both move from a closed position to an open position, independent of each other. The door has the advantage that during stacking the contents in the galley container, a larger opening to reach into the interior of the galley container will be available. The closure element in the top portion of the door has the advantage that for taking out the contents of the galley container in use, only that part of the door needs to be opened instead of the complete door. This is also not necessary because of the lifting device raising the contents on the support element to a higher position reachable for the flight attendant.
According to another embodiment, the support element of the lifting mechanism comprises a plate having a width dimension similar to an interior width dimension of the galley container, and a length dimension similar to an interior length dimension of the galley container.
The support element can have a supporting surface smaller than interior dimensions of the galley container, as long as the contents supported by the support element can be raised and lowered by the lifting device. It is preferred that a support element having a supporting surface similar to the interior dimensions of the galley container is used. Such dimensions of the supporting element allow an efficient use of the volume of the galley container, for example when the contents of the galley container in use comprises relatively small boxes.
It is preferred that the lifting device comprises a lifting mechanism that in use lowers the support element under the influence of a mass of the contents of the galley container and raises the support element upon a decrease of the mass of the contents.
The lifting device can lower the support element upon an increase of the mass of the contents loaded on the support element and raises the support element upon a decrease of the mass of the contents loaded on the element. Raising and lowering can be done either under the influence of gravity or by a mechanical or electronic device that is actuated upon an change in mass of the loaded content.
According to a further embodiment, the lifting mechanism comprises a resilient element, wherein the support element is lowered and raised under the influence of a change in length of the resilient element. A resilient element connected to the support element, such as a spring, changes length under the influence of either a pressing force or a tensile force. This change in length moves the support element either upwards or downwards. The resilient element can be provided underneath the support element in either a pressed or a stretched state when the support element is loaded with contents. In the pressed state, the resilient element will push the support element in an upwards direction when the contents is unloaded from the support element. In the stretched state, the resilient element will pull the support element in a direction towards the container roof element upon unloading the contents from the support element. Alternatively, the resilient element can be provided above the support element. In this situation, the above described movements are reversed upon loading and unloading of the contents of the galley container. Preferably, the resilient element is connected to a pulley system connected to the support element. The pulley system can comprise a pulley provided below or above the support element. The pulley system reverses the movement of the resilient element as described above.
According to another embodiment, the lifting device comprises a pulley system for raising and lowering the support element. Alternatively, the pulley system can be used without the resilient element.
The invention is furthermore related to a method for serving meals in an aircraft comprising stocking a galley container with a plurality of individual meals arranged in a stack, removing an uppermost meal from the top of the stack and shifting the stack upwards so that a next meal takes the position of the uppermost meal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated upon reference to the following drawings of a number of exemplary embodiments, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a galley container according to the invention comprising a lifting device.
Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of the lifting device of Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a galley container 1 in the form of an aircraft trolley, comprising a lifting device 2 (shown in fig. 2). The galley container 1 has a support base (not shown) comprising wheels 13 for transport and a locking mechanism 14 to lock the wheels.
The galley container 1 further comprises a roof element 5, side walls 3, 4 and a floor element 6. An interior 7 of the galley container 1 can be accessed through a door 8, comprising a door mechanism (not shown). The door 8 is hingedly connected to a side wall 4 of the galley container 1 by hinges 10. The galley container 1 further comprises a handle 11. The handle 11 is used to push, pull and steer the galley container 1 during use.
The roof element 5, side walls 3, 4 and the floor element 6 enclose the interior 7 of the galley container 1. Within the interior 7 individual boxes 9, each containing for instance a meal for a passenger, are stacked on a support element 18 (shown in fig. 2). The roof element 5 functions as a first closure element that can be slid along grooves 12 extending from a front side of the galley container 1 to a back side 23 of the galley container. The first closure element 5 can slide from an open position, shown in fig. 1, forming a first access opening 17 to access the interior 7 of the galley container 1, to a closed position (not shown). The roof element 5 can be used as a supporting surface 24 for objects, such as a box 9 or a container.
The door 8 can be opened to provided a second access opening (not shown) to access the interior 7 of the galley container 1. This second access opening extends from the roof element 5 to the floor element 6, such that the full height of the interior 7 can be easily reached. The door 8 comprises a second closure element 15 in a top portion of the door, which second closure element 15 can be opened and closed independently of the door 8. In an open position, the closure element 15 provides a third access opening 16 to access the interior 7 of the galley container.
Figure 2 shows the lifting device 2 that is provided at a back wall 23 of the galley container 1 in fig. 1. The lifting device comprises a support element 18 on which the boxes 9 (see fig. 1) are stacked. The support element 18 is movable along guide elements 19, from a lower position near the floor element 6 to a higher position near the roof element 5 of the galley container 1.
The lifting device 2 further comprises a pulley system 25 comprising a pulley 21 and a connecting element 20 at each guide element 19. The connecting element 20 connects the support element 18 with a spring 22, which acts as an actuator to move the support element up and down along the guide elements 19.
Stocking the galley container 1 is done by stacking a plurality of individual boxes 9 arranged in a stack on the support element 18. Under the influence of the increasing mass of the stack, the support element 18 will be moved downwards along the guide elements 19. The springs 22 will be elongated under this movement of the support element 18. Upon removal of the boxes 9 from the top of the stack, the mass of the stack will decrease. The elasticity of the springs 22 will then move the support element 18 upwards while decreasing the length the of the elongated springs 22. The stack is thereby shifted upwards so that the next box or layer of boxes 9 takes the position of the uppermost box or boxes 9.
LIST OF PARTS 1. Galley container 2. Lifting device 3. Side wall 4. Side wall 5. Roof element/first closure element 6. Floor element 7. Interior 8. Door 9. Box 10. Hinge 11. Handle 12. Groove 13. Wheel 14. Brake mechanism 15. Second closure element 16. Third access opening 17. First access opening 18. Support element 19. Guide element 20. Connecting element 21. Pulley 22. Spring 23. Back side 24. Supporting surface 25. Pulley system
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2012582A NL2012582B1 (en) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-04-07 | Galley container comprising a dispenser. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2012582A NL2012582B1 (en) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-04-07 | Galley container comprising a dispenser. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NL2012582A true NL2012582A (en) | 2016-01-19 |
NL2012582B1 NL2012582B1 (en) | 2016-03-08 |
Family
ID=51179103
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
NL2012582A NL2012582B1 (en) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-04-07 | Galley container comprising a dispenser. |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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NL (1) | NL2012582B1 (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3104141A (en) * | 1960-06-30 | 1963-09-17 | Air France | Device for distributing trays of food |
US3531169A (en) * | 1968-08-01 | 1970-09-29 | Carter Hoffmann Corp | Food service cart |
US3752549A (en) * | 1971-11-15 | 1973-08-14 | Restaurant Technology | Food holding cabinet |
WO1992002160A1 (en) * | 1990-08-10 | 1992-02-20 | Johannes Blücher Skibild, Metal A/S | A catering cart |
NL1006884C1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 1999-03-02 | Gerardus Leonardus Franken | Catering trolley, especially suitable for use on aircraft |
WO2012033400A1 (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2012-03-15 | Promolding B.V. | Service drawer for a trolley and a trolley |
-
2014
- 2014-04-07 NL NL2012582A patent/NL2012582B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3104141A (en) * | 1960-06-30 | 1963-09-17 | Air France | Device for distributing trays of food |
US3531169A (en) * | 1968-08-01 | 1970-09-29 | Carter Hoffmann Corp | Food service cart |
US3752549A (en) * | 1971-11-15 | 1973-08-14 | Restaurant Technology | Food holding cabinet |
WO1992002160A1 (en) * | 1990-08-10 | 1992-02-20 | Johannes Blücher Skibild, Metal A/S | A catering cart |
NL1006884C1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 1999-03-02 | Gerardus Leonardus Franken | Catering trolley, especially suitable for use on aircraft |
WO2012033400A1 (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2012-03-15 | Promolding B.V. | Service drawer for a trolley and a trolley |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL2012582B1 (en) | 2016-03-08 |
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MM | Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20170501 |