FOOD TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Field Of The Invention
The present invention is directed to food transport systems, and more particularly food
transport systems including automated food heating and food cooling.
Background Of The Invention
Conveyor-based food movement systems are known in the art. Typically, food is placed
onto the conveyor in a food preparation area and moved to a pick-up or dining room area. For
example, such conveyor-based food movement systems have been used to transport food in sushi
restaurants.
Turning our attention to U.S. Patent No. 6,554,106, the patent discloses a food transport
system for use with sushi and the like. This invention includes the ability to identify the particular
type of food product passing by on the conveyor and, if that product is old, redirect the food product
to be disposed of. The reference however, does not include the concept of heating or cooling the
food product as it comes by.
U.S. Patent No. 6,431 ,318 also discloses a sushi conveying system. This system includes a
reader which is able to interpret the type of sushi passing by on the conveyor and then uses that
information to instruct the kitchen to prepare types of food which are not currently on the conveyor
system in the desired quantity. However, the system does not include the ability to heat or cool the
food products on the conveyor.
U.S. Patent No. 5,419,410 also includes a food conveying system. This system monitors
the type of food, although for purposes of directing it to the right location. In this patent, the
customer orders the product, which is then delivered directly to them by means of a smart
conveyor system. It does not include heating or cooling of the food once it is placed on the
conveyor system.
One disadvantage of these types of food conveyor systems is that they do not include
automated heating of hot-served foods once they are placed onto the conveyor. Another
disadvantage is that these types of food conveyor systems do not include automated cooling of
cold-served foods once they are placed onto the conveyor
In view of the above, there exists a need for a food conveyor systems that permits
automated heating of hot-served foods and automated cooling of cold-served foods once they are
placed onto the conveyor.
Summary Of The Invention
The present invention provides a conveyor-based food transport system, wherein food is
placed onto the conveyor in a food preparation area or kitchen and moved to a pick-up or dining
room area. Advantageously, the system includes a food heater for heating food and drinks that
require re-heating during circulation. The system further comprises a food cooler for cooling food
and drinks that require re-cooling during circulation. According to one embodiment, the food heater
is a steamer and the food cooler is a freezer.
The conveyor-based food transport system further comprises a system for identifying the
individual food and drinks being moved by the conveyor. The conveyor includes a plurality of
mounting stations adapted to receive plates and disposed at predetermined intervals along the
conveyor. Each mounting station includes a unique machine-readable identifier (e.g., a barcode or
similar) specifying the type of food or drink to be mounted thereon. Additionally, each plate
includes a unique machine-readable identifier specifying the type of food or drink to be served
thereon. In some embodiments, mounting stations are not provided.
One or more scanners preferably are disposed at predetermined locations along the conveyor.
Scanner obtains information from the machine-readable identifiers concerning the type of food or
drink disposed on each mounting station and plate. One or more temperature sensors (e.g., infrared
sensors) are also disposed at predetermined locations along the conveyor. Temperature sensor
determines the current temperature of each plate. Food or drinks that require heating are
automatically directed toward food heater and food or drinks that require cooling are automatically
directed toward food cooler. In some embodiments, a controller is provided for determining the
circulation time of each plate of food and diverting foods to the food heater, food cooler or trash area
based upon predetermined circulation time limits.
One aspect of the present invention involves a food transport system comprising a conveyor
including a controller that controls the movement of plates of food around the conveyor and
determines the circulation time of each plate of food, a food heater and food cooler. The controller
automatically diverts individual plates of food to the food heater if they require reheating and
automatically diverts individual plates of food to the food cooler if they require cooling.
A further aspect of the present invention involves a food transport system comprising a
conveyor including a plurality of mounting stations for mounting individual plates of food. The
conveyor comprises a controller that controls the movement of food around the conveyor, a food
heater and a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the individual plates of food. The
controller includes a temperature monitor that checks whether individual plate of food fall within a
predetermined temperature range and diverts individual plates of food to the food heater if they have
a temperature that is below the predetermined temperature range.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a food transport system comprising a
conveyor including a plurality of mounting stations for mounting individual plates of food. The
conveyor comprises a controller that controls the movement of food around the conveyor, a food
cooler and a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the individual plates of food. The
controller includes a temperature monitor that checks whether individual plates of food are below a
predetermined temperature. Individual plates of food having a temperature that is above the
predetermined temperature are diverted to the food cooler.
to the food cooler if they These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be appreciated from review of the following detailed description of the invention, along with the
accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
FIG. 1 is a top view of a food transport system in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the food transport system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the food transport system of FIG. 1 taken along line 3—3;
FIGS.4A and 4B are front and rear views, respectively, of a food heater suitable for use with
the food transport system of the present invention; and
FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and rear views, respectively, of a food cooler suitable for use with
the food transport system of the present invention.
Detailed Description
In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of
example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred
embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on
the present invention. As used herein, the "present invention" refers to any one of the embodiments
of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s)
of the "present invention" throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or
methods must include the referenced feature(s).
Referring to FIG. 1, a food transport system 10 in accordance with the principles of the
present invention will now be described. Food transport system 10 comprises a conveyor 20
including a plurality of mounting stations 25 for mounting individual plates 30 of food and drinks, a
food heater 40, individual machine-readable identifiers 50 disposed on each plate 30, individual
machine-readable identifiers 55 disposed on each mounting station 25, a scanner 60 for reading the
machine-readable identifiers 50, 55, and a temperature sensor 70 for determining the temperature of
each plate. One suitable type of temperature sensor is an infrared sensor. Scanner 60 preferably
obtains information from machine-readable identifiers 50,55 concerning the type of food or drink
disposed on each mounting station 25.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, mounting stations 25 are not
employed, and the individual plates are positioned directly on top of conveyor 20. In these
embodiments, a plurality of scanners 60 are disposed at predetermined intervals around the
conveyor. Scanners 60 obtain information from individual machine-readable identifiers 50
concerning the type of food disposed on each plate 30, as well as the present location of the each
plate 30 on the conveyor 20.
In a preferred embodiment, the food heater comprises a steam heater. However, as would be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the heater may comprise any other type of food
heater, including, but not limited to, a microwave oven, one or more heat lamps, a roaster without
departing from the scope of the present invention. According to some embodiments, the food
transport system further comprising a food cooler 100, wherein individual plates 30 of food are
diverted to the food cooler for cooling.
With further reference to FIG. 1, food transport system 10 is disposed within the interior
of a restaurant, which includes a dining area 110 and kitchen 120. A plurality of dining tables
130 are arranged within the dining area to accommodate the patrons of the restaurant. The dining
area and kitchen may be separated by a partition 140, for example a glass wall. According to a
some embodiments, the conveyor 20 transports plates 30 of food directly to where patrons are
seated. For example, the seating may be implemented in a typical bar style set-up, wherein the
conveyor runs adjacent to the bar. Alternatively, the conveyor may be adapted to transport food
in a zig-zag pattern through the tables in the dining area.
In operation, plates of food and drinks are prepared in kitchen 120 and manually placed
on the conveyor. Alternatively, the plates may be automatically loaded onto the conveyor, for
example using one or more robotic arms. Conveyor 20 transports the food and drinks to the
dining area in a direction indicated by arrows 150. Patrons of the restaurant may select
individual plates of food and drinks passing through the dining area. Food and drinks that are
not selected are transported along the conveyor back into kitchen 120. Such food and drinks may
require heating or cooling to maintain a desired temperature range. More particularly, food and
drinks that require heating are directed into food heater 40 using diverter 170 and food and drinks
that requires cooling are directed into food cooler 100 using diverter 180. Additionally, food and
drinks that have been in circulation on the conveyor for greater than a predetermined amount of
time or revolutions are directed towards trash area 190 using diverter 200.
hi the illustrated embodiment, mounting stations 25 are formed to have a circular shape
such that the similarly-shaped plates 30 may be mounted thereon. As would be understood to
those of skill in the art, mounting stations 25 and plates 30 may comprise many other shapes
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each plate 30 preferably includes a
unique machine-readable identifier 50 such that scanner 60 may determine the type of food
disposed thereon. With this information, the system may determine the appropriate price to
charge a customer for the plate of food. Also, the system preferably monitors the number and
type of foods and drinks that are directed toward trash area 190 such that the kitchen workers
know to reduce the preparation of unpopular foods and drinks. According to some embodiments,
each mounting station 25 comprises a mounting display for advertising food and drink products.
The mounting display may feature a graphical display and sound system that is preprogrammed
to promote that type of food or drink disposed on the mounting station.
Referring to FIG. 2, food transport system 10 preferably includes a controller 300 for
controlling movement of food. Information may be entered into controller 300 from one or more
input devices 310 such as keyboards connected to an input side of controller 300. Controller 300
includes a setting device 320, a detector 330 and a temperature monitor 340. Information
obtained by controller 300 may be displayed by one or more monitors 370 disposed in the
kitchen area to assist the cooks in determining which food and drinks to prepare.
Setting device 320 is used to set the type of food or drink that is to be served on a
respective mounting station 25. In addition, setting device 320 is also used to set the type of
food or drink that is to be served on a respective plate 30. Detecting means 330 is used to
calculate the circulation time of each plate 30 circulating around conveyor 20 and locate plates
30 whose circulation time exceeds various predetermined time limits for the particular type of
food or drink disposed on the plate. For example, when detecting means 330 detects a plate 30
whose circulation time exceeds a predetermined overall time limit, the controller automatically
diverts the plate toward trash area 190. More particularly, controller 300 shifts the plate onto
trash conveyor 345 using diverter 200.
Temperature monitor 340 is used to check whether the current temperature of each plate
falls within a predetermined temperature range for that particular type of food. Certain foods
such as dry foods do not require heating or cooling at any time. However, other foods such as
hot-served foods and cold-served foods may require heating or cooling, respectively. If the hot
food is determined to be too cold, the plate is diverted onto food heating conveyor 350, which
passes through food heater 40. Contrariwise, if the cold food is determined to be too warm, the
plate is diverted onto food cooling conveyor 360, which passes through food cooler 100.
Advantageously, the heating and cooling aspects of the food transport system of the present
invention may be used to meet various health code requirements of different countries.
According to some embodiments, some plates 30 include a predetermined heating
circulation time or a predetermined cooling circulation time. If one of these circulation times are
exceeded, the plate is automatically diverted to be heated or cooled. When detecting means 330
detects a plate 30 whose circulation time exceeds the predetermined heating time limit, the
controller automatically diverts the plate onto food heating conveyor 350. Likewise, when
detecting means 330 detects a plate 30 whose circulation time exceeds the predetermined cooling
time limit, the controller automatically diverts the plate onto food cooling conveyor 360.
According to other embodiments, the food transport system comprises more than one full-length
conveyor line, for example including a hot line and a cold line, wherein one of the lines is
disposed substantially concentrically inside of the other line. In these embodiments, the hot line
passes through a food heater that may be used to heat hot-served foods and the cold line passes
through a food cooler that may be used to cool cold-served foods.
Referring to FIG. 3, conveyor 20 preferably comprises a motor-driven endless chain 210
that is moved in circulation within a recess 220 between walls 230, which are provided on either
side of recess 220. Such conveyors are per se known in the art. A plurality of mounting stations
25 are disposed at predetermined intervals along the endless chain. In operation, food and drinks
(e.g., hamburger 250) are prepared in the kitchen and placed on appropriate plates 30. The type
of food or drink that is to be served on each plate 30 is associated with machine-readable
identifier 50. This information may be changed manually by a user using input device 310.
Plates 30 are then placed on appropriate mounting stations 25. The type of food or drink that is
to be served on each mounting station 25 is associated with machine-readable identifiers 55.
This information may also be changed manually by a user using input device 310.
In some embodiments, each mounting station 25 is further provided with a visual marker
260 that indicates the type of food or drink that is to be served on that particular mounting station
25. hi the illustrated embodiment, the visual marker 260 comprises a drawing of the particular
food or drink to be served on the mounting station. The visual marker alternatively may
comprise one or more words, colors, objects or other visual signs that indicate the appropriate
food or drink.
Plates 30 of food and drinks are then placed on the mounting stations based upon the
types of food and drinks indicated by visual markers 260. As the plates 30 are conveyed past
scanner 60, the machine-readable identifiers on the plate and mounting station are read and the
data concerning the start of circulation is automatically entered into controller 300. The
information concerning the start of circulation is important for determining when the plate should
be heated, cooled or sent to the trash area. Information concerning the start of circulation
alternatively may be entered manually into controller 300 via input device 310.
The plates are circulated along conveyor 20 through dining area 110 such that customers
may select food and drinks of their choice to be eaten at dining tables 130. Empty mounting
bases 25 are conveyed back into the kitchen area where scanner 60 determines that the mounting
base is vacant because it does not sense the presence of a machine-readable identifier 50. The
scanner then notifies the controller that the appropriate food or drink should be added to the
empty mounting base. Controller 300 outputs this information to monitor 370 for display within
the kitchen area, thereby notifying the cooks of the types of food and drinks that require
replenishing.
Plates 30 that have not been selected are recirculated around the conveyor until they are
selected or diverted to be heated, cooled or disposed of. More particularly, when scanner 60
identifies a plate 30 returning to kitchen 120, detecting means 330 automatically calculates the
total circulation time of the plate. Controller 300 automatically diverts plates 30 that exceed a
predetermined circulation time onto trash conveyor 345. The food and drinks on these plates are
discarded in trash area 190 and the plates are removed for washing. In addition, the data
concerning circulation time is cleared from controller 300.
After being washed, the plates may be recirculated with fresh food and drinks. The
empty mounting station 25 on conveyor 20 eventually reaches scanner 60, which determines that
the mounting base is vacant since it does not sense the presence of a machine-readable identifier
50. The scanner then notifies the controller that the appropriate food or drink should be added to
the empty mounting base. Controller 300 outputs this information to monitor 370 for display
within the kitchen area, thereby notifying the cooks of the types of food and drinks that require
replenishing.
Plates 30 returning to kitchen 120 also pass by temperature sensor 70, which determines
the current temperature of each plate 30. This data is inputted into the controller such that
temperature monitoring means can determine whether the plate requires heating or cooling.
Controller 300 automatically diverts food and drinks that require heating into food heater 40
using diverter 170. In addition, controller 300 automatically diverts food and drinks that requires
cooling into food cooler 100 using diverter 180.
Referring again to FIG. 1, diverter 170 includes a shaft 380 mounted at one end to a pivot
390. Diverter 170 includes a first position wherein shaft 380 is disposed substantially parallel to
conveyor walls 230 and a second position (shown in dotted lines) wherein shaft 380 is disposed
at an oblique angle with respect to conveyor walls 230. Similarly, diverter 180 includes a shaft
400 mounted at one end to a pivot 410. Diverter 180 includes a first position wherein shaft 400
is disposed substantially parallel to conveyor walls 230 and a second position(shown in dotted
lines) wherein shaft 180 is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to conveyor walls 230.
Preferably, diverters 170, 180 are disposed at substantially the same height as plates 30 on the
conveyor, but slightly above mounting stations 25. This configuration is preferred so that the
diverters may be pivoted to their respective second positions without colliding with a mounting
station 25. Diverters 170, 180 include a motorized driving device connected to an output side of
controller 300 such that shafts 380, 400 can be pivoted under the direction of controller 300.
When diverters 170, 180 are in the first position, plates 30 that are moving along
conveyor 20 are permitted to pass by without being redirected. To redirect a plate 30 onto food
heating conveyor 350, controller 300 causes diverter 170 to pivot into the second position. The
plate is automatically transferred from mounting station 25 onto a food heating conveyor
mounting station 205 under the direction of controller 300. Likewise, to redirect a plate 30 onto
food cooling conveyor 360, controller 300 causes diverter 180 to pivot into the second position.
The plate is automatically transferred from mounting station 25 onto a food cooling conveyor
mounting station 215 under the direction of controller 300. According to some embodiments,
robotic arms are provided to permit the plates to be automatically transferred from one conveyor
to another. According to other embodiments, the plates may be manually transferred from the
one conveyor to another.
With further reference to FIG. 1, diverter 200 includes a shaft 420 mounted at one end to
a pivot 430. Diverter 200 includes a first position wherein shaft 420 is substantially parallel to
conveyor walls 230 and a second position (shown in dotted lines) wherein shaft 420 is at an
oblique angle with respect to conveyor walls 230. To redirect a plate 30 onto trash conveyor
345, controller 300 causes diverter 200 to pivot into the second position. The plate is
automatically transferred from mounting station 25 onto a trash conveyor mounting station 225
under the direction of controller 300. Alternatively, the plates may be manually transferred onto
the trash conveyor. Diverter 200 also includes a motorized driving device connected to an output
side of controller 300 such that shaft 420 can be pivoted under the control of controller 300.
Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a preferred embodiment for food heater 40 will now be
described. Food heater 40 comprises a steamer 440 adapted to heat hot-served foods (e.g.,
hamburger 250) that have been circulating on the conveyor for more than a predetermined
amount of time. Steamer 440 is in fluid communication with a boiler 450, which provides the
requisite steam to heat the food. Steam enters the steamer by way of a steam inlet 460.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, food heater may comprise other types
of heaters, including, but not limited to, microwave ovens, heat lamps and roasters without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, as would be understood to those of
skill in the art, food heater 40 may be positioned at other positions around the conveyor 20
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, steamer 440 includes a front sliding door 470 and a rear
sliding door 480, both of which are dimensioned for the passage of plates 30 moving on food
heating conveyor 350. Sliding doors 470, 480 are adapted to move up and down as indicated by
arrows 490 between open and closed positions. Sliding doors 470, 480 also include a motorized
driving device connected to an output side of controller 300 such that opening and closing of the
doors is controlled by controller 300. Plates 30 of food enter the steamer through an front
opening 500 in the steamer, which is formed when front sliding door 470 is in the open position.
Food heating conveyor 350 preferably is disposed beneath the steamer such that only the plates
disposed on top of conveyor 20 enter the steamer through opening 500.
After a plate 30 enters through opening 500, front sliding door 470 is automatically
closed and a blast of steam is delivered from boiler 450. The plate continues to move through
the steamer while it is being heated by the blast of steam. According to some embodiments, the
plate of food remains in the steamer for approximately 5-15 seconds. Of course, as would be
understood by those of skill in the art, plates may remain in the steamer for longer or shorter
durations without departing from the scope of the present invention. According to other
embodiments, plates that enter the steamer are removed from the conveyor one after another until
a plurality of plates 30 are disposed within the steamer. At this point, the boiler provides a steam
blast that heats all of the food and drinks disposed within steamer 440.
With further reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, after the plate of food is heated within
steamer 440, the rear sliding door is automatically opened by the controller, thereby permitting
the plate to exit the steamer through a rear opening 510 as the plate continues along food heating
conveyor 350. In a preferred embodiment, the controller controls the speed of the food heating
conveyor such that the plate is automatically transferred from a food heating conveyor mounting
station 205 to its original mounting station 25 on conveyor 20. According to other embodiments,
the transfer of the plate from the food heating conveyor onto conveyor 20 may be performed
manually.
Referring to FIGS. 5 A and 5B, a preferred embodiment for food cooler 100 will now be
described. Food cooler 100 comprises a freezer 540 adapted to cool cold-served foods (e.g.,
salad 545) that have been circulating on the conveyor for more than a predetermined amount of
time. Freezer 540 is in fluid communication with a refrigerator 550, which provides refrigerant
or coolant to cool the food. Refrigerant enters the freezer by way of a refrigerant inlet 560. As
would be understood to those of skill in the art, food cooler 100 may be positioned at other
positions around the conveyor 20 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, freezer 540 includes a front sliding door 570 and a rear
sliding door 580 dimensioned for the passage of plates 30 moving on food cooling conveyor 360.
Sliding doors 570, 580 are adapted to move up and down as indicated by arrows 590 between
open and closed positions. Sliding doors 570, 580 also include a motorized driving device
connected to an output side of controller 300 such that opening and closing of the doors is
controlled by controller 300. Plates 30 of food enter the freezer through an front opening 600 in
the freezer, which is formed when front sliding door 570 is in the open position. Food cooling
conveyor 360 preferably is disposed beneath the freezer such that only the plates disposed on top
of conveyor 20 enter the steamer through opening 500.
After a plate 30 enters through opening 600, front sliding door 570 is automatically
closed and a blast of refrigerant is delivered from refrigerator 550. The plate continues to move
through the freezer while it is being cooled by the blast of refrigerant. According to some
embodiments, the plate of food remains in the freezer for approximately 5-15 seconds. Of
course, as would be understood by those of skill in the art, plates may remain in the freezer for
longer or shorter durations without departing from the scope of the present invention. According
to other embodiments, plates that enter the freezer are removed from the conveyor one after
another until a plurality of plates 30 are disposed within the freezer. At this point, the
refrigerator provides a refrigerant blast that cools all of the food and drinks disposed within
freezer 540.
With further reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, after the plate of food is cooled within freezer
540, the rear sliding door is automatically opened by the controller, thereby permitting the plate
to exit the freezer through a rear opening 610 as the plate continues along food cooling conveyor
360. In a preferred embodiment, the controller controls the speed of the food cooling conveyor
such that the plate is automatically transferred from a food cooling conveyor mounting station
215 to its original mounting station 25 on conveyor 20. According to other embodiments, the
transfer of the plate from the food cooling conveyor onto conveyor 20 may be performed
manually.
Thus, it is seen that a food heating and transport system is provided. One skilled in the
art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the various
embodiments and preferred embodiments, which are presented in this description for purposes of
illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that
follow. It is noted that equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description
may practice the invention as well.