Automatic ingredient sorting system and method for pre-prepared food seasoning box

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic batching and sorting system and method for a pre-prepared dish seasoning box, comprising: a host; a seasoning box provided with an electronic identification tag, the tag storing seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the tag; a conveying system; an identification device for scanning the tag; a batching device comprising a silo and a material distribution system, the material distribution system for outputting seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information of the label of the seasoning box and the output amount of seasoning corresponding to the seasoning content information of the label into the seasoning box according to the batching instruction issued by the host; and a sorting device for pushing out the seasoning box according to the sorting instruction issued by the host. Automatic batching and sorting of the seasoning box is realized, and the whole process does not require production or line suspension, thereby improving the production efficiency of the seasoning box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of pre-prepared food production, and in particular to an automatic ingredient sorting system and method for a pre-prepared food seasoning box. Background Art

[0002] Pre-prepared dishes are made by modern standardized assembly line operations. The raw materials of the dishes are processed hygienically and scientifically, and then the processed dishes are packaged. When they need to be eaten, they can be eaten directly after a simple heating step. With the acceleration of the pace of people's daily life, convenient and fast fast food has become the daily food choice of more consumers. With the maturity of the technology of pre-prepared convenient fast food, more and more consumers tend to choose pre-prepared convenient fast food as their daily table food. In the production process of pre-prepared dishes, the processing of seasoning boxes plays a key role in the taste of pre-prepared dishes. The types and contents of seasonings in the seasoning boxes of different dishes are different. In the current pre-prepared dish assembly line processing, it is impossible to flexibly adjust the types of seasonings in the seasoning boxes according to the different dishes. Only the same type of pre-prepared dishes can be produced in batches. When the pre-prepared dishes need to be replaced, the assembly line is shut down, the seasoning box supply equipment is replaced, and then the production line is started again so that the dishes are added with new seasonings. Obviously, this method cannot flexibly achieve efficient production of different dishes. How to quickly and accurately dispense seasonings in seasoning boxes according to different dishes is very important for improving the processing efficiency of pre-prepared dishes. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an automatic ingredient sorting system and method for a pre-prepared dish seasoning box.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an automatic ingredient sorting system for a pre-prepared dish seasoning box, comprising:

[0005] Host;

[0006] A seasoning box, the top of which is an open structure and is provided with an electronic identification tag, wherein the tag stores the seasoning type information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the tag;

[0007] A conveying system, comprising a first conveyor belt and a plurality of second conveyor belts arranged in sequence along a conveying direction of the first conveyor belt, wherein one end of the second conveyor belt is connected to the first conveyor belt, and the other ends of the plurality of second conveyor belts respectively correspond to different stacking areas;

[0008] a plurality of identification devices, sequentially arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt, for scanning the labels of the seasoning boxes passing through the identification devices, so as to obtain and send to the host the seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the label;

[0009] A plurality of batching devices are arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of identification devices, the batching devices include a silo and a material distribution system, the silo independently stores at least two different seasonings, the material distribution system is connected to the silo, and is used to output the seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information on the label of the seasoning box and the seasoning of the output amount corresponding to the seasoning content information on the label into the seasoning box according to the batching instruction issued by the host;

[0010] A plurality of sorting devices are arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of batching devices, and the sorting devices are used to push the seasoning box onto a second conveyor belt corresponding to a stacking area corresponding to the seasoning box stacking area information on the label of the seasoning box according to a sorting instruction issued by the host.

[0011] Furthermore, the identification device includes a CCD industrial camera for photographing the label and is electrically connected to the host.

[0012] Furthermore, the material distribution system includes a dosing pipe, a dosing nozzle and a dosing valve; each of the material bins is connected to one end of at least two of the dosing pipes, the other end of the dosing pipe is provided with the dosing nozzle, the dosing valve is arranged on the dosing nozzle to limit the flow of the seasoning flowing through the dosing nozzle, and the dosing valve is also connected to the main machine electrical signal.

[0013] Further, the sorting device includes an electric push rod, which has two parallel bidirectional driving rods, each of which is horizontally arranged and perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt; one of the driving rods is connected to a limiting rod at one end facing the first conveyor belt, and the other driving rod is connected to a pushing rod at one end facing the first conveyor belt. Along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt, the pushing rod is located upstream of the first conveyor belt, and the limiting rod is located downstream of the first conveyor belt.

[0014] Furthermore, the limiting rod is parallel to the pushing rod.

[0015] Furthermore, the automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes also includes a coating and capping device arranged on one side or both sides of the second conveyor belt; the coating and capping device includes a roller and a sealing film wound on the roller, and the sealing film is used to close the open structure at the top of the seasoning box.

[0016] Furthermore, the second conveyor belt is provided with a curved portion, and a steering roller cooperating therewith is provided on the inner side of the curved portion.

[0017] Furthermore, the label includes a substrate layer and a spray layer, the substrate layer is connected to the seasoning box in a dot-break manner, the spray layer is arranged on the top of the substrate layer, and a QR code is sprayed on the spray layer.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a method for automatically sorting ingredients in a pre-prepared dish seasoning box, comprising the following steps:

[0019] Place seasoning boxes with open tops and electronic identification tags on the first conveyor belt in sequence, wherein the tags store seasoning category information, seasoning content information, and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning boxes corresponding to the tags;

[0020] The identification device scans the label of the seasoning box passing through the identification device to obtain and send to the host the seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the label;

[0021] The batching device outputs the seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information on the label of the seasoning box and the seasoning of the output amount corresponding to the seasoning content information on the label into the seasoning box according to the batching instruction issued by the host;

[0022] According to the sorting instruction issued by the host, the sorting device pushes the seasoning box on the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt corresponding to the stacking area corresponding to the seasoning box stacking area information on the label of the seasoning box, and the second conveyor belt transports the seasoning box to the corresponding stacking area.

[0023] Furthermore, before the second conveyor belt conveys the seasoning box to the corresponding stacking area, the second conveyor belt seals the seasoning box and removes the label on the seasoning box.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by setting a label on the seasoning box, using an identification device to scan the label to obtain relevant information of the seasoning box, the host controls the batching device according to the relevant information to output seasonings of corresponding types and output quantities into the seasoning box, and controls the sorting device according to the relevant information to push the seasoning box onto the second conveyor belt corresponding to the stacking area to which it belongs, thereby realizing automatic batching and sorting of the seasoning box, without stopping production or stopping the line during the whole process, and improving the production efficiency of the seasoning box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the system of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a local enlarged structure;

[0027] Figure 3It is a structural schematic diagram of a state in which the sorting device of the present invention cooperates with the seasoning box;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of another state of cooperation between the sorting device of the present invention and the seasoning box;

[0029] Figure 5 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of another state of cooperation between the sorting device of the present invention and the seasoning box.

[0030] In the figure: 1-seasoning box; 2-label; 3-first conveyor belt; 4-second conveyor belt; 5-sorting device; 51-electric push rod; 52-limit rod; 53-pushing rod; 6-dosing device; 61-bin; 62-dosing pipe; 63-dosing nozzle; 64-dosing valve; 7-identification device; 71-CCD industrial camera; 8-steering roller; 9-film covering device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of the present invention easy to understand, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments, but the following embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, not all. Based on the embodiments in the implementation mode, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] like Figure 1 , 2 The automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes shown includes: a main machine, a seasoning box 1, a conveying system, an identification device 7, an ingredient sorting device 6 and a sorting device 5.

[0033] The top of each seasoning box 1 is an open structure and is provided with an electronic identification tag 2 , wherein the tag 2 stores seasoning category information, seasoning content information, and seasoning box 1 stacking area information of the seasoning box 1 corresponding to the tag 2 .

[0034] The label 2 includes a substrate layer and a spray layer, the substrate layer is connected to the seasoning box 1 in a dot-disconnected manner, the spray layer is arranged on the top of the substrate layer, and a QR code is sprayed on the spray layer.

[0035] The present embodiment does not limit the size of the seasoning box 1. In fact, the pre-prepared dish of the present embodiment includes a dish box, a staple food package arranged in the dish box, and a seasoning box 1. Taking noodles as an example, the different tastes of the pre-prepared dish are not determined by the noodles, but by the taste of the seasoning in the seasoning box 1. Therefore, for example, to produce pre-prepared dishes of different flavors on a production line, different seasonings need to be allocated to the same staple food package. In the present embodiment, the seasoning box 1 with different seasonings can be continuously produced, and the seasoning box 1 can be placed in the dish box with the staple food package built in. That is, the seasoning box 1 of the present embodiment is fixedly placed in the dish box, preferably arranged in a corner of the inner wall of the dish box, such as the upper left corner, and the top of the seasoning box 1 is flush with the top of the dish box. The staple food package is not limited to noodles, but can also be rice.

[0036] The conveying system includes a first conveyor belt 3 and a plurality of second conveyor belts 4 arranged in sequence along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 3. One end of the second conveyor belt 4 is connected to the first conveyor belt 3, and the other ends of the plurality of second conveyor belts 4 correspond to different stacking areas. In fact, different stacking areas are used to stack seasoning boxes 1 or pre-prepared dishes of different flavors, so that the manufacturer can pack and ship the whole product out of the warehouse.

[0037] The second conveyor belt 4 is provided with a curved portion, and a steering roller 8 cooperating therewith is provided on the inner side of the curved portion, so that more second conveyor belts 4 can be arranged on both sides of the first conveyor belt 3, and more stacking areas can be arranged accordingly.

[0038] A plurality of identification devices 7 are sequentially arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt 3 along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 3, and are used to scan the label 2 of the seasoning box 1 passing through the identification device 7, so as to obtain and send to the host the seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box 1 stacking area information corresponding to the label 2. The seasoning category information is the seasoning category required for the seasoning box 1. The seasoning content information corresponds to the content of the seasoning, in g or ml.

[0039] The identification device 7 includes a CCD industrial camera 71, which is used to photograph the label 2 and is connected to the host by electrical signals. After the CCD industrial camera 71 photographs the label 2, the label 2 image is transmitted to the host, and the host analyzes the electronic information of the label 2 to obtain the type of seasoning agent in the seasoning box 1 corresponding to the label 2, the content of the seasoning agent, and the location where the seasoning box 1 needs to be stacked.

[0040] A plurality of batching devices 6 are arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt 3 in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of identification devices 7. The batching devices 6 include a silo 61 and a material distribution system. The silo 61 independently stores at least two different seasonings. The material distribution system is connected to the silo 61 and is used to output the seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information on the label 2 of the seasoning box 1 and the output amount of seasoning corresponding to the seasoning content information on the label 2 to the seasoning box 1 according to the batching instructions issued by the host.

[0041] The material distribution system includes a dosing pipe 62, a dosing nozzle 63 and a dosing valve 64; each of the material bins 61 is connected to one end of at least two of the dosing pipes 62, and the other end of the dosing pipe 62 is provided with the dosing nozzle 63. The dosing valve 64 is arranged on the dosing nozzle 63 to limit the flow of the seasoning flowing through the dosing nozzle 63, and the dosing valve 64 is also connected to the main machine electrical signal.

[0042] After the host learns the type and content of seasoning required by the seasoning box 1, when the seasoning box 1 is transported to the bottom of the corresponding dispensing nozzle 63, the dispensing valve 64 corresponding to the dispensing nozzle 63 is opened, so that the corresponding seasoning is discharged into the seasoning box 1. The duration of the opening of the dispensing valve 64 determines the output amount of the seasoning, which is controlled by the host.

[0043] A plurality of sorting devices 5 and the plurality of batching devices 6 are arranged one-to-one on one side of the first conveyor belt 3, and the sorting device 5 is used to push the seasoning box 1 onto the second conveyor belt 4 corresponding to the stacking area corresponding to the seasoning box 1 stacking area information of the label 2 of the seasoning box 1 according to the sorting instruction issued by the host.

[0044] The sorting device 5 includes an electric push rod 51, which has two parallel bidirectional driving rods, each of which is horizontally arranged and perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 3; one of the driving rods is connected to a limiting rod 52 at one end facing the first conveyor belt 3, and the other driving rod is connected to a pushing rod 53 at one end facing the first conveyor belt 3. Along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 3, the pushing rod 53 is located upstream of the first conveyor belt 3, and the limiting rod 52 is located downstream of the first conveyor belt 3.

[0045] The limit rod 52 is parallel to the push rod 53 and both are higher than the first conveyor belt 3. The electric push rod 51 receives the command of the host, that is, the push-out or retraction of the limit rod 52 and the push rod 53 are controlled by the host according to the information of the tag 2.

[0046] Combined with Figure 3As shown, when a seasoning box 1 is being transported on the first conveyor belt 3, if the host needs to add a certain type of seasoning after obtaining the relevant information of the seasoning box 1 through the identification device 7, the electric push rod 51 at the corresponding position of the seasoning receives the instruction, and the limit rod 52 extends to block the seasoning box 1 from continuing to be transported on the first conveyor belt 3. At this time, the first conveyor belt 3 continues to run and transports other seasoning boxes 1 without affecting the overall production efficiency. The dispensing system above the blocked seasoning box 1 opens the corresponding dosing valve 64, and the required seasoning is output to the seasoning box 1 through the dosing nozzle 63. When the required content is output, the dosing valve 64 is closed. At this time, if the seasoning box 1 needs to continue to be added, the limit rod 52 retracts, and the seasoning box 1 continues to be transported on the first conveyor belt 3. If it is no longer necessary to add seasoning, as shown in Figure 4 , 5 As shown, the host controls the push rod 53 to extend and push the seasoning box 1 onto the second conveyor belt 4. At the same time, under the guidance of the limit rod 52, the seasoning box 1 moves horizontally close to the limit rod 52 to ensure the stability of the seasoning box 1. After the seasoning box 1 is conveyed to the second conveyor belt 4, the limit rod 52 and the push rod 53 are retracted to avoid affecting the transmission of other seasoning boxes 1.

[0047] The automatic ingredient sorting system for the pre-prepared food seasoning box 1 also includes a coating and capping device 9 arranged on one side or both sides of the second conveyor belt 4; the coating and capping device 9 includes a roller and a sealing film wound on the roller, and the sealing film is used to close the open structure at the top of the seasoning box 1.

[0048] When the seasoning box 1 is on the second conveyor belt 4, it means that the seasoning box 1 has completed the seasoning dispensing and can be packaged. The seasoning box 1 can be closed by covering the sealing film to facilitate stacking.

[0049] It should be noted that the seasoning box 1 of this embodiment can be replaced by the aforementioned vegetable box. That is, the vegetable box contains the stacked seasoning boxes 1 and staple food packages, and the seasoning box 1 is arranged on the top of the staple food package. The transmission system for the seasoning box 1 is suitable for the transmission of the vegetable box.

[0050] Based on the same inventive concept, the method for automatically sorting ingredients in a pre-prepared dish seasoning box proposed by the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0051] Place seasoning boxes with open tops and electronic identification tags on the first conveyor belt in sequence, wherein the tags store seasoning category information, seasoning content information, and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning boxes corresponding to the tags;

[0052] The identification device scans the label of the seasoning box passing through the identification device to obtain and send to the host the seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the label;

[0053] The batching device outputs the seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information on the label of the seasoning box and the seasoning of the output amount corresponding to the seasoning content information on the label into the seasoning box according to the batching instruction issued by the host;

[0054] According to the sorting instruction issued by the host, the sorting device pushes the seasoning box on the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt corresponding to the stacking area corresponding to the seasoning box stacking area information on the label of the seasoning box, and the second conveyor belt transports the seasoning box to the corresponding stacking area.

[0055] Before the second conveyor belt conveys the seasoning box to the corresponding stacking area, the seasoning box is sealed and the label on the seasoning box is removed. The label and the seasoning box adopt a detachable structure. For example, the label is attached to the top of the seasoning box, and the label is torn off when the seasoning box is sealed. Of course, the label can also be set on the top of the edge of the seasoning box in the form of spray printing. When sealing, the sealing film covers the top of the seasoning box and surrounds its edge to block the label.

[0056] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only preferred examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes, characterized in that: include: Host; A seasoning box, the top of which is an open structure and is provided with an electronic identification tag, wherein the tag stores the seasoning type information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the tag; A conveying system, comprising a first conveyor belt and a plurality of second conveyor belts arranged in sequence along a conveying direction of the first conveyor belt, wherein one end of the second conveyor belt is connected to the first conveyor belt, and the other ends of the plurality of second conveyor belts respectively correspond to different stacking areas; a plurality of identification devices, sequentially arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt, for scanning the labels of the seasoning boxes passing through the identification devices, so as to obtain and send to the host the seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the label; A plurality of batching devices are arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of identification devices, the batching devices include a silo and a material distribution system, the silo independently stores at least two different seasonings, the material distribution system is connected to the silo, and is used to output the seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information on the label of the seasoning box and the seasoning of the output amount corresponding to the seasoning content information on the label into the seasoning box according to the batching instruction issued by the host; A plurality of sorting devices are arranged on one side of the first conveyor belt in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of batching devices, and the sorting devices are used to push the seasoning boxes onto the second conveyor belt corresponding to the stacking area corresponding to the seasoning box stacking area information on the label of the seasoning box according to the sorting instruction issued by the host; The dispensing system includes a dispensing pipe, a dispensing nozzle and a dispensing valve; each of the material bins is connected to one end of at least two of the dispensing pipes, the other end of the dispensing pipe is provided with the dispensing nozzle, the dispensing valve is provided on the dispensing nozzle to limit the flow of the seasoning agent flowing through the dispensing nozzle, and the dispensing valve is also connected to the host electrical signal; The sorting device comprises an electric push rod, which has two parallel bidirectional driving rods, each of which is horizontally arranged and perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt; one end of one of the driving rods facing the first conveyor belt is connected to a limiting rod, and the other end of the driving rod facing the first conveyor belt is connected to a pushing rod, and along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt, the pushing rod is located upstream of the first conveyor belt, and the limiting rod is located downstream of the first conveyor belt; The automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes also includes a film covering and sealing device arranged on one side or both sides of the second conveyor belt; the film covering and sealing device includes a roller and a sealing film wound on the roller, and the sealing film is used to seal the open structure at the top of the seasoning box; The label comprises a substrate layer and a spray layer, wherein the substrate layer is connected to the seasoning box in a dot-break manner, the spray layer is arranged on the top of the substrate layer, and a two-dimensional code is sprayed on the spray layer.

2. The automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The identification device includes a CCD industrial camera for photographing the label and is connected to the host computer by electrical signals.

3. The automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The limiting rod is parallel to the pushing rod.

4. The automatic ingredient sorting system for pre-prepared food seasoning boxes according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The second conveyor belt is provided with a curved portion, and a steering roller cooperating with the curved portion is provided inside the curved portion.

5. A method for automatically sorting ingredients in a pre-prepared dish seasoning box using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Place seasoning boxes with open tops and electronic identification tags on the first conveyor belt in sequence, wherein the tags store seasoning category information, seasoning content information, and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning boxes corresponding to the tags; The identification device scans the label of the seasoning box passing through the identification device to obtain and send to the host the seasoning category information, seasoning content information and seasoning box stacking area information of the seasoning box corresponding to the label; The batching device outputs the seasoning corresponding to the seasoning category information on the label of the seasoning box and the seasoning of the output amount corresponding to the seasoning content information on the label into the seasoning box according to the batching instruction issued by the host; The sorting device pushes the seasoning box on the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt corresponding to the stacking area corresponding to the seasoning box stacking area information on the label of the seasoning box according to the sorting instruction issued by the host, and the second conveyor belt transports the seasoning box to the corresponding stacking area; When a seasoning box is conveyed on the first conveyor belt, if the host needs to add a certain type of seasoning after obtaining the relevant information of the seasoning box through the identification device, the electric push rod at the corresponding position of the seasoning receives the instruction, and the limit rod extends to block the continued transmission of the seasoning box on the first conveyor belt; at this time, the first conveyor belt continues to run and transports other seasoning boxes; the dispensing system above the blocked seasoning box opens the corresponding dosing valve, and the required seasoning is output to the seasoning box through the dosing nozzle, and when the required content is output, the dosing valve is closed; if the seasoning box needs to continue to add seasoning, the limit rod retracts, and the seasoning box continues to be transported on the first conveyor belt; if no more seasoning is needed, the host controls the push rod to extend and push the seasoning box onto the second conveyor belt. Under the guidance of the limit rod, the seasoning box moves horizontally close to the limit rod, and when the seasoning box is conveyed to the second conveyor belt, the limit rod and the push rod are both retracted.

6. The method for automatically sorting ingredients in a pre-prepared food seasoning box according to claim 5, characterized in that: Before the second conveyor belt conveys the seasoning box to the corresponding stacking area, the seasoning box is sealed and the label on the seasoning box is removed.

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