WO2002009047A1 - Food vending apparatus - Google Patents

Food vending apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002009047A1
WO2002009047A1 PCT/GB2001/003205 GB0103205W WO0209047A1 WO 2002009047 A1 WO2002009047 A1 WO 2002009047A1 GB 0103205 W GB0103205 W GB 0103205W WO 0209047 A1 WO0209047 A1 WO 0209047A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
food
kiosk
food products
vending apparatus
payment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/003205
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002009047B1 (en
Inventor
Koorosh Khodabandehloo
Original Assignee
Robochef International Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robochef International Plc filed Critical Robochef International Plc
Priority to AU2001269343A priority Critical patent/AU2001269343A1/en
Publication of WO2002009047A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002009047A1/en
Publication of WO2002009047B1 publication Critical patent/WO2002009047B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/80—Apparatus for specific applications
    • H05B6/808—Microwave heating adapted for vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
    • G07F17/0078—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a hot or cooked condition, e.g. popcorn, nuts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
    • G07F9/105—Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage

Definitions

  • This invention relates to food vending apparatus.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of food vending machine which allows a greater range of food products to be provided with minimal manual attendance.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of food vending apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • the apparatus to be described below is a kind of fast food outlet which utilises a robotic device to cook and serve pre-prepared food.
  • the apparatus includes a kiosk 1 which is generally rectangular in plan view.
  • the two shorter sides 2, 3 at opposite ends of the kiosk are used for utility purposes and have respective entry doors 4 and 5 for maintenance etc.
  • Double access doors 6 and 7 allow four trolleys 8-11 to be wheeled into a chilled sub-area of the kiosk.
  • the trolleys carry serving trays which are preloaded with prepared meals, as described further below.
  • the two longer sides, 18 and 19, of the kiosk are used for customer service.
  • a robot 20 of the kind having an articulated arm 21 with a number of pivotally connected sections is mounted at the approximate centre of the kiosk for rotational movement through 360° so that the robot has easy access to all areas of the kiosk.
  • the arm 21 may be provided with a load sensor and a temperature sensor.
  • An electrical control box 22 is installed inside the kiosk.
  • the box contains a computer which is programmed to control the overall operation of the kiosk, including the robot 20.
  • the kiosk contains two or more chilled drink dispensers 26 and 27 which are loaded with cans of drinks.
  • the serving trays loaded onto the trolleys 8-11 are designed to be held by the robotic arm 21.
  • the trays are provided with a utility set comprising, for example, cutlery, condiments, and a moist tissue in a sealed envelope.
  • the two service sides 18 and 19 each have four ordering and collection stations 30.
  • Each collection station includes a serving hatch, a payment card handling unit, a VDU monitor and a touch-key pad.
  • the station may also be provided with a window through which operation of the apparatus can be observed by people waiting to collect food.
  • Inside the kiosk adjacent to the service stations, there are a number of microwave cooking ovens as indicated at 31.
  • the kiosk may further incorporate a depository for used trays and general rubbish.
  • the payment processing units at each of the service stations can collect payment from customers by means of a special prepaid microchip card or by a standard credit card which is "swiped" by the customer whose account is automatically debited via a telephone link.
  • the ordering process is as follows:
  • the apparatus may make a phone call to the credit card centre to check that the card is valid.
  • the ordering station displays a menu of available meals and drinks.
  • the customer selects a meal and a drink using a touch keys.
  • the order is displayed to the customer for confirmation purposes together with the total cost of the order.
  • the customer must press a key to indicate acceptance of the order. If the order is not accepted it is cancelled.
  • the customer is asked whether they wish to order a further meal. If the customer presses a key to indicate "y es " the ordering process is repeated. Up to four meals may be ordered at one time.
  • the customer When the customer indicates that nothing further is required the customer is presented with a final account and/or optional cash receipt for the total amount to be debited and then the customer is asked to confirm payment within a certain time. If acceptance is not confirmed within the allotted time the transaction is cancelled, but if the payment is confirmed the customer waits for their meal.
  • the robot then proceeds to pick a tray carrying an appropriate meal from the trolleys 8-11.
  • the robot takes the selected drink from the store and places it on the tray.
  • the robot removes the meal from the tray and places it into one of the ovens 31.
  • the robot closes the oven door and the oven is turned on. If additional meals have been ordered they can be picked and placed in ovens in the same way.
  • Queueing customers may be kept informed by the VDU monitor as to how their order is progressing.
  • the robot After the required cooking time has elapsed the robot removes the meal from the oven, checks the temperature of the meal, weighs it using the load sensor, and places it back on the tray. The temperature and weight data are logged.
  • Advance orders may be placed remotely, e.g. via the internet or by an automated touch-tone telephone system for example.
  • the customer is asked for credit card or payment card information and delivery to the customer is made on presentation of the credit card or payment card information. Again, the necessary instructions are given to aid the customers.
  • a supervisor will visit the apparatus regularly (usually once daily) to replenish the supply of consumables and generally tidy up.
  • Security cameras may be provided for recording and/or remote monitoring of robot operation and customer movements.
  • the apparatus thus requires minimal manual attendance, is hygienic to operate and can give 24 hour unattended service throughout the year.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Food vending apparatus includes a kiosk 1 having trays of pre-prepared food products stored on trolleys (8-11). A customer may place an order using a keypad and an electronic payment card at one of several ordering and collection stations (30). A robot (20) in the centre of the kiosk selects the food product and places it on the tray in a microwave oven (31) where the product is heated. The robot then remove the heated product, selects the required drink from a drink dispenser (26, 27) and places it on the tray, and delivers the order to the customer waiting at the collection station (30).

Description

FOOD VENDING APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to food vending apparatus.
BACKGROUND
The catering and fast food businesses suffer greatly from staffing problems. Staff are often required to work unsociable hours, wages tend to be low, and consequently there are always labour shortages and high staff turnovers. Hygiene is also a major consideration wherever there is a possibility of human contact with food.
Existing vending machines are very limited in the range of food products which they can dispense, generally being limited to snack foods such as chocolate bars.
The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of food vending machine which allows a greater range of food products to be provided with minimal manual attendance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes food vending apparatus which includes a kiosk characterised in that the kiosk has:
- a store of pre-prepared food products;
- heating means for heating the food products;
- payment means for accepting payment for the food products from customers;
- a collection station at which the food products are delivered to customers; and
- robotic means for handling the food products and transferring them to the collection station.
The invention also provides a method of vending food from a kiosk characterised by
- accepting payment from customers using automatic payment means; -selecting a food product from a store of pre-prepared food products using robotic means;
- using said robotic means to move the selected food products to heating means;
- heating said food products using said heating means; and
-using said robotic means to transfer the heated food products from said heating means to a collection station at which the food products are delivered to customers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of food vending apparatus in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The apparatus to be described below is a kind of fast food outlet which utilises a robotic device to cook and serve pre-prepared food. The apparatus includes a kiosk 1 which is generally rectangular in plan view. The two shorter sides 2, 3 at opposite ends of the kiosk are used for utility purposes and have respective entry doors 4 and 5 for maintenance etc. Double access doors 6 and 7 allow four trolleys 8-11 to be wheeled into a chilled sub-area of the kiosk. The trolleys carry serving trays which are preloaded with prepared meals, as described further below. The two longer sides, 18 and 19, of the kiosk are used for customer service. A robot 20 of the kind having an articulated arm 21 with a number of pivotally connected sections is mounted at the approximate centre of the kiosk for rotational movement through 360° so that the robot has easy access to all areas of the kiosk. In a large kiosk there may be two or more robots mounted in the central region. The arm 21 may be provided with a load sensor and a temperature sensor. An electrical control box 22 is installed inside the kiosk. The box contains a computer which is programmed to control the overall operation of the kiosk, including the robot 20.
The kiosk contains two or more chilled drink dispensers 26 and 27 which are loaded with cans of drinks.
The serving trays loaded onto the trolleys 8-11 are designed to be held by the robotic arm 21. In addition to pre-prepared chilled meals the trays are provided with a utility set comprising, for example, cutlery, condiments, and a moist tissue in a sealed envelope.
The two service sides 18 and 19 each have four ordering and collection stations 30. Each collection station includes a serving hatch, a payment card handling unit, a VDU monitor and a touch-key pad. The station may also be provided with a window through which operation of the apparatus can be observed by people waiting to collect food. Inside the kiosk, adjacent to the service stations, there are a number of microwave cooking ovens as indicated at 31. The kiosk may further incorporate a depository for used trays and general rubbish.
The payment processing units at each of the service stations can collect payment from customers by means of a special prepaid microchip card or by a standard credit card which is "swiped" by the customer whose account is automatically debited via a telephone link. The ordering process is as follows:
- On arrival at the kiosk the customer inserts their preferred payment card into the machine.
- The apparatus may make a phone call to the credit card centre to check that the card is valid.
- The ordering station displays a menu of available meals and drinks.
- The customer selects a meal and a drink using a touch keys.
- The order is displayed to the customer for confirmation purposes together with the total cost of the order. The customer must press a key to indicate acceptance of the order. If the order is not accepted it is cancelled.
- The customer is asked whether they wish to order a further meal. If the customer presses a key to indicate "yes" the ordering process is repeated. Up to four meals may be ordered at one time.
- When the customer indicates that nothing further is required the customer is presented with a final account and/or optional cash receipt for the total amount to be debited and then the customer is asked to confirm payment within a certain time. If acceptance is not confirmed within the allotted time the transaction is cancelled, but if the payment is confirmed the customer waits for their meal.
- The robot then proceeds to pick a tray carrying an appropriate meal from the trolleys 8-11.
- The robot takes the selected drink from the store and places it on the tray.
- The robot removes the meal from the tray and places it into one of the ovens 31. The robot closes the oven door and the oven is turned on. If additional meals have been ordered they can be picked and placed in ovens in the same way. - Queueing customers may be kept informed by the VDU monitor as to how their order is progressing.
- After the required cooking time has elapsed the robot removes the meal from the oven, checks the temperature of the meal, weighs it using the load sensor, and places it back on the tray. The temperature and weight data are logged.
- When the meal is ready for collection it is placed at the customer collection station for removal.
Advance orders may be placed remotely, e.g. via the internet or by an automated touch-tone telephone system for example. In such cases the customer is asked for credit card or payment card information and delivery to the customer is made on presentation of the credit card or payment card information. Again, the necessary instructions are given to aid the customers.
A supervisor will visit the apparatus regularly (usually once daily) to replenish the supply of consumables and generally tidy up.
In case of any difficulty when a customer has initiated a payment they can gain manual assistance from a remote service centre via the internet or a bidirectional voice channel.
Security cameras may be provided for recording and/or remote monitoring of robot operation and customer movements.
The apparatus thus requires minimal manual attendance, is hygienic to operate and can give 24 hour unattended service throughout the year.
It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. Food vending apparatus which includes a kiosk characterised in that the kiosk has:
- a store of pre-prepared food products;
- heating means for heating the food products;
- payment means for accepting payment for the food products from customers;
- a collection station at which the food products are delivered to customers; and
- robotic means for handling the food products and transferring them to the collection station.
2. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the kiosk has a store of drinks for delivery to the customers by the robotic means.
3. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the robotic means is located at a central region of the kiosk.
4. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the robotic means includes an articulated arm having a plurality of pivotally connected sections.
5. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the kiosk has a plurality of collection stations.
6. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the or each collection station is provided with message display means.
7. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the heating means uses microwave heating.
8. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the payment means is incorporated in an ordering station having selection means by which a customer can make a selection from a choice of available food products.
9. Food vending apparatus according to Claim 1 , in which the payment means accepts electronic payment cards.
10. A method of vending food from a kiosk characterised by
- accepting payment from customers using automatic payment means; -selecting a food product from a store of pre-prepared food products using robotic means;
- using said robotic means to move the selected food products to heating means;
- heating said food products using said heating means; and
-using said robotic means to transfer the heated food products from said heating means to a collection station at which the food products are delivered to customers.
PCT/GB2001/003205 2000-07-20 2001-07-17 Food vending apparatus WO2002009047A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001269343A AU2001269343A1 (en) 2000-07-20 2001-07-17 Food vending apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0017665A GB0017665D0 (en) 2000-07-20 2000-07-20 Food vending apparatus
GB0017665.1 2000-07-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002009047A1 true WO2002009047A1 (en) 2002-01-31
WO2002009047B1 WO2002009047B1 (en) 2002-04-04

Family

ID=9895914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/003205 WO2002009047A1 (en) 2000-07-20 2001-07-17 Food vending apparatus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001269343A1 (en)
GB (1) GB0017665D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2002009047A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002089074A2 (en) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-07 Leonhard Hobmaier Ordering device for fast-food restaurants
EP1739615A3 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-10 DBS Projektsteuerung GmbH für Gemeinschaftsgastronomie Vending machine for cooked menu
WO2015176963A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Thales Device for automatic collection and distribution of objects and automatic distribution system containing such a device
IT202100003104A1 (en) * 2021-02-11 2022-08-11 Smart Eat Solutions S R L VENDING MACHINE OF FOOD PRODUCTS.
US11478090B2 (en) * 2018-06-20 2022-10-25 Podular Inc. Food stand system
NL2029276B1 (en) * 2021-09-29 2023-04-04 Remy Robotics Sl System and method for providing meal order, preparation and delivery service
CN117267760A (en) * 2023-11-23 2023-12-22 合肥工业大学 Micro-steaming, baking and frying integrated microwave oven with manipulator structure and use method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2556859A1 (en) * 1983-12-20 1985-06-21 Micro Tema Sa Automatic distributor device for hot and cold meals
US4671425A (en) * 1984-04-05 1987-06-09 Tepro- Prazionstechnik Gmbh Food vending machine
FR2597239A1 (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-16 Castel Alain Automatic dispensing assembly for hot cooked meals
US5285041A (en) * 1991-01-16 1994-02-08 Wright Food Systems, Inc. Automated food vending system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2556859A1 (en) * 1983-12-20 1985-06-21 Micro Tema Sa Automatic distributor device for hot and cold meals
US4671425A (en) * 1984-04-05 1987-06-09 Tepro- Prazionstechnik Gmbh Food vending machine
FR2597239A1 (en) * 1986-04-14 1987-10-16 Castel Alain Automatic dispensing assembly for hot cooked meals
US5285041A (en) * 1991-01-16 1994-02-08 Wright Food Systems, Inc. Automated food vending system

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002089074A2 (en) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-07 Leonhard Hobmaier Ordering device for fast-food restaurants
WO2002089074A3 (en) * 2001-05-02 2003-01-03 Leonhard Hobmaier Ordering device for fast-food restaurants
EP1739615A3 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-10 DBS Projektsteuerung GmbH für Gemeinschaftsgastronomie Vending machine for cooked menu
WO2015176963A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 Thales Device for automatic collection and distribution of objects and automatic distribution system containing such a device
FR3021306A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-27 Thales Sa DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COLLECTING AND DISPENSING OBJECTS, AND AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CONTAINING SUCH A DEVICE
US11478090B2 (en) * 2018-06-20 2022-10-25 Podular Inc. Food stand system
IT202100003104A1 (en) * 2021-02-11 2022-08-11 Smart Eat Solutions S R L VENDING MACHINE OF FOOD PRODUCTS.
WO2022172187A1 (en) * 2021-02-11 2022-08-18 Smart Eat Solutions S.R.L. A vending machine for food products
NL2029276B1 (en) * 2021-09-29 2023-04-04 Remy Robotics Sl System and method for providing meal order, preparation and delivery service
WO2023052478A1 (en) * 2021-09-29 2023-04-06 Remy Robotics Sl System and method for providing meal order, preparation and delivery service
CN117267760A (en) * 2023-11-23 2023-12-22 合肥工业大学 Micro-steaming, baking and frying integrated microwave oven with manipulator structure and use method
CN117267760B (en) * 2023-11-23 2024-01-30 合肥工业大学 Micro-steaming, baking and frying integrated microwave oven with manipulator structure and use method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0017665D0 (en) 2000-09-06
WO2002009047B1 (en) 2002-04-04
AU2001269343A1 (en) 2002-02-05

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