PL242196B1 - Device for storing and dispensing food and a modular system - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the application is a system and device for storing and dispensing food having a housing (7), many individual compartments (1) placed in a housing for storing and processing food with a thermally insulated inner chamber, a thermostatic system and a controller. The thermostatic system comprises a heat exchanger (5), a plurality of Peltier modules (3), each Peltier module (3) being connected on one side to said heat exchanger (5) and on the other side to a copper heat pipe (4), and a plurality of copper pipes (4), each of which is connected at one end to a separate Peltier module (3) and at the other end to a separate compartment (1).

Description

Description of the invention

The field of technology

The invention generally relates to the field of food vending machines. More specifically, the subject of the invention is a device and a modular system for storing food products in the right conditions, processing them by subjecting the stored food to thermal treatment (e.g. heating) and providing the consumer with a finished food product, especially in the form of a hot meal, which has previously been properly processed.

state of the art

From US patent application No. US3534676A there is known a machine describing an automatic food dispensing system in which food products are stored in a cooled, insulated chamber located in the rear part of the machine. Food portions are stored on platforms suspended on racks, which are guided by a chain system, which is driven by a motor transmitting torque using a rack and pinion system. Each of the racks has a separate suspension, thanks to which the surface on which the portion rests is always horizontal. The applied chain system is used to move the trolleys in the circuit of a vertically stretched loop. Subsequent portions are pushed to the chute with the use of hydraulic actuators, where the portion slides down to the heating chamber. The solution with one cooling chamber and one heating chamber does not allow for the storage and processing of food products that require storage and thermal processing in different temperature conditions. It also requires a separate space for storage and heat treatment, and this necessitates the provision of mechanical means to move the food from the storage space to the heat treatment space.

US2019051086A1 discloses a kiosk for the sale of food products having a plurality of thermally insulated compartments in which food is stored and processed, each of which has a cooling module for cooling the food and a heating module for heating the food. The heating module may, for example, be in the form of a resistance heating element, a burner or an induction heating element. In turn, the cooling module can be made in the form of a compressor or thermoelectric cooler, e.g. using the Peltier effect. The kiosk has a plurality of doors providing access to the respective compartments, at least one of which is unlocked in response to confirmation of a purchase transaction or authentication of the presence of a person or device associated with the transaction. In order to control the doors (locking and unlocking them), the device has actuators that respond to control signals. The compartments of the device can be selectively heated and cooled, with temperature variations based on a temperature control schedule. The kiosk also has at least one processor device for controlling the cooling and heating modules and actuators. The disadvantage of this solution is that each compartment has an independent cooling and heating module, which in the case of many compartments requires the use of many modules, which is expensive and increases the failure rate of the solution. In addition, in the case of cooling and heating of two adjacent compartments, there is a large demand for electricity and the need to combine a large amount of thermal energy with the environment, which is particularly unfavorable for mobile systems and those operating in atmospheric conditions.

Similar US application No. US2019051083A discloses a kiosk for selling food products that can be part of a food distribution system and can function as a hot food preparation device. The kiosk has at least one cooking unit and a plurality of food compartments, each of which may have, in an embodiment, a separate cooling module and a separate heating module. The heating module may be in the form of a resistive heating element, a burner or an induction heating element and the cooling module may be in the form of a compression or thermoelectric refrigerator, eg using the Peltier effect. The compartments have a door to the interior thereof and a door to the cooking unit which is slidable between a non-accessible position and a position allowing access to the compartment/cooking unit and which are provided with actuators controlled by a processor device.

Japanese document No. JP2005156026A discloses a cooling device with a natural refrigerant circulating circuit comprising a thermoelectric conversion device having a heat absorbing surface and a heat generating surface; a natural refrigerant for heat exchange with at least one of these surfaces; a chamber adjacent to the heat generating surface and containing a refrigerant therein; heater; and a plurality of tubing connecting the cooler to the chamber in which the refrigerant circulates due to the density difference of the gas and the liquid caused by the phase change.

US2017138663A1 discloses a beverage cooling system comprising a pump for circulating a coolant, a cooling subsystem and a control subsystem controlling it. The cooling subsystem includes: a cooling block adapted to receive coolant and extract heat from it; a thermoelectric cooler thermally connected to one side of the block, adapted to remove heat from it; a heat distributor thermally connected to the cooler, adapted to distribute the received heat over a larger area; a heat pipe assembly for receiving heat from the distributor and transferring it to the distal ends of the tubes; a set of fins for receiving heat at the distal ends of the tubes; and a fan for generating airflow through the fin assembly to remove heat therefrom; a first conduit for conveying the cooled coolant from the cooling block towards the beverage dispensing conduit; a second pipe for carrying the coolant back; and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the coolant in the second conduit.

US application US2013174580A1 discloses a system comprising a first cooling unit; heat/energy storage tank; the first Peltier system; heating unit; second Peltier system; wherein the first cooling unit is configured to be connectable to the heat reservoir via a first Peltier system and the heating unit is configured to be connectable to the heat reservoir via a second Peltier system. The first Peltier system is configured to transfer heat between the cooling unit and the heat reservoir, and the second Peltier system is configured to transfer heat between the reservoir and the heating unit.

US5438523A discloses an article storage and delivery device having a mechanism provided with compartments, the mechanism being rotatable to move a selected compartment to a dispensing door (or alternatively having a movable door aligned with the selected compartment). The apparatus comprises transmission means for transmitting signals to the data processing unit; compartments for storing articles; at least one delivery unit operatively connected to said transmission means and having at least one door; positioning means for aligning the compartment with the door, means for unlocking the door; and means for generating signals when one of the compartments is aligned with the door and the door is released.

Application WO2006123987A1 discloses a cabinet for storing and selling chilled or frozen goods. The door of the cabinet opens by entering a code in a payment terminal with a scanning device for reading codes identifying goods. The goods are scanned with a scanning device and charged to the purchasing account associated with the door opening code. The cabinet is locked when the door is closed. In addition, the wardrobe rests on the scales; if there is a predetermined difference between the weight of the scanned item and the weight of the rack, this difference is recorded in the transaction data file associated with the code.

The essence of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a solution that will eliminate the disadvantages known in the state of the art.

This objective is met by a device and system for storing and dispensing food according to the content of the attached patent claims.

According to the first invention, there is provided a food storage and dispensing device having:

a housing, a plurality of individual compartments housed in a food storage and processing housing with a thermally insulated inner chamber and a closable opening through which food can be put in and taken out, preferably in the form of a substantially rectangular structure made at least partly of metal or its alloys and consisting of four walls side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall with thermal insulation on the outer side, at least one wall, in particular the front wall, being open to provide access to the inner chamber;

a thermostatic system for temperature control of food, i.e. cooling and heating thereof, comprising a heat exchanger, a plurality of Peltier modules and a plurality of copper heat pipes containing an evaporating and condensing liquid;

a controller for controlling the operation of the device having at least a processor, memory and input-output circuits, each Peltier module being connected at one end to said heat exchanger and at the other end to a copper heat pipe, each copper heat pipe being connected at one end to a separate Peltier module and the other end with a separate compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger has slots for installing Peltier modules on one side and fins for heat exchange with the environment on the other side.

To maximize the heat capacity, the space inside the heat exchanger can be filled with water.

The heat exchanger can be made of copper, silver, brass, bronze or their alloys.

In the preferred excavation example, the heat pipes are routed in an insulating block.

Preferably, the heat pipes contain inside an evaporating liquid with a possibly high heat capacity and high phase transition energy, for example water.

Each compartment can be additionally equipped with a UV lamp or an ozone inlet connected to an ozone generator to sterilize the inner chamber.

The compartments are made of metals or their alloys, and the preferred materials are copper, silver, brass, bronze or their alloys.

In each compartment there is a temperature sensor functionally connected with the controller.

To increase the power of the thermostatic system, Peltier modules may include multiple cells stacked, eg, two to ten cells, preferably five cells.

According to the second invention there is provided a modular system for storing and dispensing meals having:

a plurality of modules in the form of devices according to the first invention;

a central management module having a processor, memory, input-output circuits, a network communication module, a control system, the central management module being configured to control the operation of all modules.

In a preferred embodiment, the central management module has a graphical user interface, in particular in the form of a touch screen.

In another embodiment, the management module is equipped with a cash and non-cash payment module.

In yet another embodiment, the central management module has a barcode reader, a QR code reader, or an RFID reader.

Beneficial effects of the invention

The subject matter of the present application enables an easy assembly of many modular ready-meal vending machines together with a food temperature control system that allows individual temperature control of each of the meals sold.

Each module (device) may contain many compartments (shelves) which can result in an automated food vending system comprising, for example, ten to two hundred individually thermostated compartments controlled by a single master management module.

Brief description of the figures of the drawing

The invention will now be illustrated in a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 - shows a single module (device) with individually thermostated shelves for storing and dispensing meals.

Fig. 2 - shows an individual shelf (compartment) of a food storage and dispensing device.

Fig. 3 - shows a heat exchanger with a water storage and a Peltier module with a stack of cells.

Fig. 4 shows a modular system comprising multiple food storage and dispensing devices together with a central management module.

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a single module 16 in the form of a device for storing and dispensing food products, which can be unprocessed as well as processed products that have previously undergone partial or complete heat treatment (e.g. ready meals).

According to this example, the device has a housing 7 and a plurality of individual compartments 1 housed in a food storage and processing housing 7 with a thermally insulated inner chamber.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a single compartment 1 in the form of a shelf with a rectangular structure made at least partly of metal or its alloys. An example of the material from which the shelves are made is copper, silver, brass, bronze or their alloys. Preferably, the shelf is made of copper for increased asepticity and better heat dissipation. Each shelf consists of four side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall. On the outer side of the shelf there is thermal insulation 2, which thermally insulates it from the other shelves. To ensure access to the inner chamber, the front wall has the form of a hinged door 8 made of a double glass pane with a spacer on the perimeter for better insulation. In addition, for even easier access, the hinged door 8 is equipped with an electric lock and automatic opening and closing with an actuator. Each of the shelves is also equipped with a temperature sensor connected to the controller, a UV lamp 10 and an ozone inlet 11 connected with an ozone generator connection for sterilization of the inner chamber, and a diode or lamp 9 shining in three colors to signal the status of the shelf (occupied, free and sterilization in during).

The food storage and serving apparatus then has a thermostatic arrangement for individually thermostating each compartment 1, which is schematically shown in Fig. 1. The thermostatic arrangement comprises a heat exchanger 5, a plurality of Peltier modules 3, and a plurality of copper heat pipes 4. Each Peltier module 3 is connected to one side to said heat exchanger 5 and the other side to a copper heat pipe 4. In turn, each heat pipe 4 is connected at one end to a separate Peltier module 3 and at the other end to a separate compartment 1.

The heat pipe 4, otherwise known as the heat pipe or Heat-pipe, enables heat transfer through the evaporating and condensing liquid enclosed inside, with the highest possible heat capacity and high energy of phase transitions. The ideal liquid for this purpose is water. Heating one end of the heat pipe 4 causes the water inside it to evaporate and absorb the heat. The generated vapor then moves to the lower temperature part of the heat pipe 4, where it releases heat and condenses on its cooler walls. The condensed water then flows by gravity to the higher temperature portion of the heat pipe 4. The use of heat pipes 4 in combination with Peltier modules enables efficient and effective cooling and heating of individual compartments 1.

In order to minimize heat transfer, the heat pipes 4 are led in the insulation block 6, preferably at a mutual distance of not less than 30 mm and not more than 500 mm. Moreover, all components of the device can be fixed inside the housing 7 by means of plastic elements for even better thermal insulation.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the heat exchanger 5 is made entirely of copper and has slots for installing Peltier modules 3 on one side and fins on the opposite side for heat exchange with the environment. The fins can be closed inside the device or exposed through the opening in the housing 7 to the outside and additionally sealed so that the inside remains isolated from the environment. In the center of the heat exchanger 5 is a water-filled space 12 to maximize heat capacity. Water can be replenished through the top flap 13 equipped with a pressure valve and a safety valve 14. The heat exchanger 5 is connected to all Peltier modules 3 and has a maximized heat capacity so that heat can be pumped between the shelves (Peltier modules act as heat pumps), from those to be cooled to those to be heated. Since most Peltier modules 3 can operate at a temperature gradient of up to 65 degrees Celsius, the use of several modules allows to increase the heat gradient, and the largest possible heat capacity of the heat exchanger 5 ensures a relatively constant temperature of the heat exchanger 5 so that the device can operate in the range of 0 to 90 degrees Celsius for each shelf individually.

The Peltier module 3 may contain multiple cells arranged in a stack 15, preferably two to ten cells, and more preferably two to five cells, so as to increase the power of the thermostatic system while minimizing its projected area and increasing the allowable temperature gradient for the Peltier module 3 along the direction of heat transfer from an acceptable 60 degrees Celsius for a single cell to 300 degrees Celsius for a stack of five cells. Increasing the temperature gradient will allow to raise the temperature in the shelf, increase the heat flow and increase the flexibility of the testing algorithm, as it will allow for large temporary overloads of the thermostatic system.

The controller with at least a processor, memory and input-output systems is responsible for controlling the device.

Fig. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a modular food storage and serving system comprising a plurality of modules 16 in the form of devices according to the first embodiment with a plurality of individually thermostated compartments 1. Thanks to this, it is possible to freely configure the number of modules 16 and the number compartments 1. For example, a modular system may consist of one to fifteen modules 16, and each of the modules 16 may have two to twenty compartments 1.

All modules 16 are controlled by one central management module 17, which has at least a processor, memory, input/output circuits, a network communication module for connection to a communication network (e.g. the Internet) and a control system. The central module can be any processor device that controls the operation of the entire system, e.g. in the form of a microcontroller, logic controller, laptop, tablet, mobile phone or server. Preferably, the central module 17 is equipped with a touch screen for presenting meals and serving as a user interface, an RFID reader, a bar code reader and a QR code reader, as well as a cash and non-cash payment module, as well as a central control system with a module for connecting to the Internet for communication with the superior system. management (e.g. connected to a restaurant, employee card system or other system that identifies the user).

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that both a single module and a modular system may have components not listed above, such as other electrical and electronic devices, power supply, etc., which are necessary for proper operation.

Claims (14)

A food storage and dispensing device comprising: a housing (7), a plurality of individual compartments (1) housed in a food storage and processing housing with a thermally insulated inner chamber and a closable opening through which food can be inserted and removed, preferably in the form of essentially a rectangular structure made at least partially of metal or its alloys and consisting of four side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall with thermal insulation (2) on the outside, with at least one wall, especially the front wall, open to provide access to the chamber internal; a thermostatic system for temperature control of the food, i.e. cooling and heating thereof, comprising a heat exchanger (5), a plurality of Pieltier modules (3) and a plurality of ground copper heat pipes (4) containing an evaporating and condensing liquid; a controller for controlling the operation of the device having at least a processor, memory and input-output circuits, characterized in that each Peltier module (3) is connected on one side to said heat exchanger (5) and on the other side to a copper heat pipe (4), with with each copper heat pipe (4) connected at one end to a separate Peltier module (3) and the other end to a separate compartment (1). 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger (5) has, on one side, sockets for installing Peltier modules (3), and on the other side, opposite to the side where the sockets are located, it has fins for heat exchange with the environment. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the space inside the heat exchanger (5) is filled with water to maximize the heat capacity. 4. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the heat exchanger (5) is made of copper, silver, brass, bronze or their alloys. 5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat pipes (4) are led in the insulation block (6). 6. The device according to claim The heat pipes according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the heat pipes (4) contain inside an evaporating liquid with a possibly high heat capacity and high phase transition energy, especially water. 7. The device according to claim Characterized in that each compartment (1) is equipped with a UV lamp (10) or an ozone inlet (11) connected to an ozone generator for sterilizing the inner chamber. 8. The device according to claim 1 and 7, characterized in that the compartments (1) are made of copper, silver, brass, bronze or their alloys. 9. The device according to claim 1 or 7 or 8, characterized in that in each compartment (1) there is a temperature sensor functionally connected with the controller. 10. The device according to claim 2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the Peltier modules (3) comprise a plurality of cells arranged in a stack (15). 11. A modular system for storing and serving meals, characterized in that it has: a plurality of modules (16) in the form of devices according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a central management module (17) having a processor, memory, input-output circuits, communication module network, the control system, the central management module (17) being configured to control the operation of all modules (16). 12. A modular system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the central management module (17) has a graphical user interface, in particular in the form of a touch screen. 13. A modular system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the central management module (17) has a cash and non-cash payment module. 14. A modular system as claimed in claim 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that the central management module (17) has a barcode reader, a QR code reader or an RFID reader.