Food packaging apparatus and refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a food packaging device and a refrigerator, and belongs to the refrigerator field. The food packaging device comprises a packaging chamber arranged in the refrigerator, and an accommodating space is arranged in the packaging chamber; an automatic loading mechanism is arranged at the bottom of the accommodating space, and comprises a cylinder, a chuck assembly and a lifting assembly. The top of the cylinder is provided with an opening, and the inside of the cylinder is provided with a cavity for sequentially stacking and arranging loading containers. The chuck assembly is arranged at the opening of the cylinder, and is used for forming a communication port with a preset size and in communication with the cavity when food falls, so that the food falls into a target loading container located at the top of the loading containers. The chuck assembly is also used for lifting the target loading container containing the food when the lifting mechanism is lifted to a preset height. A packaging mechanism is used for providing a packaging film and packaging the food and the target loading container with the packaging film. The food packaging device and the refrigerator can improve the food packaging efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerators, and in particular to a food packaging device and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Food packaging protects food from biological, chemical, and physical damage during its journey from the factory to the consumer. When storing food in a refrigerator, users typically place ingredients in freezer bags before refrigerating them to preserve freshness and prevent bacterial contamination.

[0003] Currently, there is no mature packaging module in refrigerators, so there is an urgent need to design a food packaging device that can package food. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of the first aspect of this invention is to provide a food packaging device that can improve the packaging efficiency of food ingredients.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to improve the level of automation in refrigerators.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention aims to provide a refrigerator including the above-described food packaging device, which can improve the packaging efficiency of food ingredients.

[0007] In particular, the present invention provides a food packaging device, comprising:

[0008] A packaging chamber is located inside the refrigerator, and the packaging chamber has an internal storage space;

[0009] An automatic loading mechanism is disposed at the bottom of the accommodating space. The automatic loading mechanism includes a cylinder, a chuck assembly, and a lifting assembly. The top of the cylinder has an opening, and the interior has a cavity for stacking loading containers sequentially. The lifting assembly is disposed within the cavity and supports the loading containers. The chuck assembly is disposed at the opening of the cylinder and forms a communication port of a preset size communicating with the cavity when food falls, allowing the food to fall into the topmost target loading container. The chuck assembly also supports the target loading container containing the food when the lifting assembly is raised to a preset height.

[0010] A packaging mechanism for providing a packaging film and using the packaging film to package the food and the target loading container.

[0011] Optionally, the chuck assembly includes two horizontally arranged chucks that are positioned opposite each other and are controlled to move closer to or further away from each other, so as to lift the target loading container when they move closer to each other to a first preset position and to form the communication port when they move further away from each other to a second preset position.

[0012] Optionally, the sides of the two chucks facing each other are configured as concave arcs.

[0013] Optionally, the curvature of the arc on one side of the chuck matches the curvature of the loading container.

[0014] Optionally, the chuck assembly further includes a closing component for closing the gap between the two chucks when the two chucks move to the first preset position and for fully exposing the communication port when the two chucks move to the second preset position.

[0015] Optionally, each of the chucks is provided with a gravity sensor and is configured to open after the gravity sensor detects that food is placed on it, so that the food falls into the target container in the storage chamber.

[0016] Alternatively, the two chucks may be parallel to each other on their respective sides.

[0017] Optionally, the food packaging device also includes:

[0018] Electromagnetic sterilization units are located on both sides of the packaging chamber and are used to sterilize the packaged food ingredients.

[0019] Optionally, the packaging mechanism is configured to package the food using a heat-shrink process.

[0020] In particular, the present invention also provides a refrigerator including the food packaging device described in any of the above claims.

[0021] The food packaging device of the present invention is equipped with an automatic loading mechanism and a packaging mechanism. The automatic loading mechanism can lift the food and a loading container together when the food is placed in, and then the packaging mechanism packages the two together, thereby realizing the packaging process of food with containers in the refrigerator. This gives the refrigerator a special food packaging function, enriches the refrigerator's functions and automation level, reduces the burden and time of users packaging food themselves, and helps to improve food packaging efficiency and enhance the user experience.

[0022] Furthermore, in this invention, the arc of one side of the chuck matches the arc of the loading container. This design allows the chuck and the loading container to fit together better, resulting in more uniform force transmission and facilitating the smooth lifting of the loading container.

[0023] Furthermore, the food packaging device of the present invention includes an automatic loading mechanism, a packaging mechanism, and an electromagnetic sterilization unit, which can automatically complete the boxing, packaging, and sterilization of food, greatly freeing up the user's hands and improving the automation level of the refrigerator.

[0024] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in detail by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a food packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic loading mechanism of a food packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is in the lifting state;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic loading mechanism of a food packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is in the lifting state;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a top view of the food packaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention when the automatic loading mechanism is in the lifting state;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a top view of the food packaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the automatic loading mechanism is in the lifting state;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a top view of a food packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the chuck assembly in a lifted state.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the chuck assembly of a food packaging device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a food packaging device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a food packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic loading mechanism 20 of a food packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention when it is in the lifting state. Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the automatic loading mechanism 20 of a food packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention in the lifted state. For ease of explanation, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The loading container 40 is shown in the image. Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the food packaging apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a packaging chamber 10, an automatic loading mechanism 20, and a packaging mechanism 30. The packaging chamber 10 is disposed in a refrigerator, such as in the refrigerator body or door, or any convenient location within the refrigerator. The packaging chamber 10 has an internal accommodating space, and the automatic loading mechanism 20 is disposed at the bottom of the accommodating space. Figure 2 As shown, the automatic loading mechanism 20 includes a cylinder 21, a chuck assembly 22, and a lifting assembly 23. The cylinder 21 has an opening at the top and an internal cavity for stacking loading containers 40 sequentially. The loading containers 40 can be containers such as food storage containers. Optionally, the cylinder 21 can be cubic or cylindrical, or have a specially designed shape; no limitation is made here. The lifting assembly 23 is disposed within the cavity and supports the loading containers 40. Optionally, the lifting assembly 23 can be a hydraulic rod or a lifting component driven by a motor that outputs linear displacement. The lifting assembly can include a tray to better support the loading containers 40. The chuck assembly 22 is disposed at the opening of the cylinder 21 and forms a communication port 201 of a preset size that communicates with the cavity when food 50 falls, so that the food 50 falls into the target loading container 41 located at the top of the loading containers 40. The size of the communication port 201 must meet the requirements for both the passage of the food 50 and the passage of the target loading container 41. The chuck assembly 22 is also used to lift the target loading container 41 containing the food 50 when the lifting assembly is raised to a preset height, that is, to place the target loading container 41 completely on the top surface of the chuck assembly 22. The packaging mechanism 30 is used to provide a packaging film 31 and to package the food 50 and the target loading container 41 using the packaging film 31. The packaging mechanism 30 here can be some small food packaging mechanism 30 commonly used in the prior art, which can wrap the packaging film 31, such as plastic wrap, around the outer surface of the food 50 and the target loading container 41.

[0036] The food packaging device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with an automatic loading mechanism 20 and a packaging mechanism 30. The automatic loading mechanism 20 can lift the food and a loading container 40 together when the food is placed in, and then the packaging mechanism 30 packages the two together, thereby realizing the packaging process of food with containers in the refrigerator. This gives the refrigerator a special food packaging function, enriches the refrigerator's functions and automation level, reduces the burden and time of users packaging food themselves, and helps to improve food packaging efficiency and enhance the user experience.

[0037] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the chuck assembly 22 includes two horizontally arranged chucks 221. The two chucks 221 are controlled to move closer to each other or further away from each other, so as to lift the target loading container 41 when they move closer to each other to a first preset position and to form a communication port 201 when they move further away from each other to a second preset position.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a top view of the food packaging device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in the lifting state, with the automatic loading mechanism 20 in the lifting state. Figure 5 This is a top view of the food packaging device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, with the automatic loading mechanism 20 in a lifted state. In another embodiment, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the two chucks 221 have concave arc-shaped sides facing each other. This arc-shaped chuck 221 is particularly suitable for conical loading containers 40. Of course, at least the two sides of the loading container 40 that contact the chucks 221 need to be inclined sides, for example... Figure 2 The container can be a sloping side or a container with a conical torus, as long as the side of the loading container 40 is capable of upward displacement when subjected to the force of mutual compression in the horizontal direction of the two chucks 221. No special restrictions are placed on the shape.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the arc of one side of the chuck 221 matches the arc of the loading container 40. This arrangement allows the chuck 221 and the loading container 40 to fit together better, resulting in more uniform force transmission and facilitating the smooth lifting of the loading container 40.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a top view of a food packaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the chuck assembly 22 in a lifted state. In another embodiment, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the chuck assembly 22 further includes a closing assembly 222, used to close the gap between the two chucks 221 when the two chucks 221 move to a first preset position, and to fully expose the communication opening 201 when the two chucks 221 move to a second preset position. Optionally, the closing assembly 222 includes two closing plates 223, which are respectively connected to the two chucks 221, and each closing plate 223 can move horizontally relative to the chuck 221 to which it is connected, so as to close the gap between the chucks 221 when the two closing plates 223 move to a position where they are joined together, and to fully expose the communication opening 201 when the two closing plates 223 move away from each other to a certain position.

[0041] Since the arc-shaped chuck 221 may still have gaps in the middle even after assembly, the sealing component 222 is set here to seal the gaps between the chucks 221 after the loading container 40 is lifted out, so as to prevent debris from falling into the cylinder 21 and causing contamination of the loading container 40 inside the cylinder 21.

[0042] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the chuck assembly 22 of a food packaging device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the two chucks 221 are parallel to each other on their respective sides, and the chucks 221 move closer to each other until they are seamlessly joined. In addition, the shape of the joined chucks 221 can match the cylinder 21. For example, if the cylinder 21 is cylindrical, then the chucks 221 can be two semicircles, and after joining, they have the same cross-section as the cylinder 21.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a food packaging device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The food 50 and target loading container 41 are shown in the image. In one embodiment, as... Figure 8 As shown, each chuck 221 is equipped with a gravity sensor 60, and is configured to open after the gravity sensor 60 detects food being placed on it, allowing the food to fall into the target container in the storage chamber. Of course, in other embodiments, other sensors such as cameras can be used to detect whether food has been placed, thus achieving automatic loading.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the food packaging device 100 further includes electromagnetic sterilization units 70, disposed on both sides of the packaging chamber 10, for sterilizing the packaged food. Optionally, the electromagnetic sterilization unit 70 is a magnetic field coil, such as... Figure 8 In this process, the electromagnetic sterilization unit 70 includes two magnetic field coils arranged opposite each other on the side walls of the packaging chamber 10. In one embodiment, the magnetic field coils provide a magnetic field strength of 20-50 Gs and maintain it for 10-20 minutes to sterilize and deactivate enzymes in the packaged food. After sterilization, the food automatically enters the food storage stage. A transport mechanism can be further configured to transport the sterilized food to the storage location inside the refrigerator. Alternatively, the user can be alerted by light or sound after sterilization is complete, allowing the user to manually remove the food and place it in the desired location.

[0045] In one embodiment, the packaging film 31 can be a general cellulose film or a cellulose film with a dense gas barrier coating on both the inner and outer sides. This coated cellulose film can effectively block oxygen from entering the food storage box, thereby achieving the purpose of anti-oxidation of the food.

[0046] In one embodiment, the packaging mechanism 30 is configured to package the food using a heat-shrink process, that is, to wrap the packaging film 31 around the food and the target loading container 41 using a heat-shrink process.

[0047] for Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, by setting up a controller to centrally control the various components of the food packaging device 100, the loading, packaging, and sterilization of food can be completed automatically. Specifically, the control process includes:

[0048] Step 1: When food is detected falling onto the chuck assembly 22, control the chuck assembly 22 to form a communication port 201;

[0049] Step two: control the lifting component to raise it to a preset height, which makes the outer side of part of the target loading container 41 roughly flush with the chuck 221.

[0050] Step 3: Control the two chucks 221 to move relative to each other to the first preset position to lift the target loading container 41.

[0051] Step four: Control the packaging mechanism 30 to package the food and the target loading container 41.

[0052] Step 5: Start the electromagnetic sterilization unit 70 to sterilize and deactivate enzymes in the food.

[0053] For embodiments that include the closure component 222, a step of controlling the closure component 222 to close the gap between the chucks 221 may also be included between steps three and four.

[0054] Finally, when all loading containers 40 are used up, there is also a step of controlling the lifting assembly to descend to the initial position so that a preset number of loading containers 40 can be put back in.

[0055] The food packaging device 100 of the present invention includes an automatic loading mechanism 20, a packaging mechanism 30 and an electromagnetic sterilization unit 70, which can automatically complete the boxing, packaging and sterilization of food, greatly freeing up the user's hands and improving the automation level of the refrigerator.

[0056] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 As shown, the present invention also provides a refrigerator, including a food packaging device 100 from any of the above embodiments or combinations thereof.

[0057] The refrigerator in this embodiment is equipped with a food packaging device 100 including an automatic loading mechanism 20 and a packaging mechanism 30. The automatic loading mechanism 20 can lift the food and a loading container 40 together when the food is placed in, and then the packaging mechanism 30 packages the two together, thereby realizing the packaging process of food with containers in the refrigerator. This gives the refrigerator a special food packaging function, enriches the refrigerator's functions and automation level, reduces the burden and time of users packaging food themselves, and helps to improve food packaging efficiency and enhance the user experience.

[0058] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A food packaging device, characterized in that, include: A packaging chamber is located inside the refrigerator, and the packaging chamber has an internal storage space; An automatic loading mechanism is disposed at the bottom of the accommodating space. The automatic loading mechanism includes a cylinder, a chuck assembly, and a lifting assembly. The top of the cylinder has an opening and the interior has a cavity for stacking loading containers sequentially. The lifting assembly is disposed in the cavity and is used to support the loading containers. The chuck assembly is disposed at the opening of the cylinder and is used to form a communication port with a preset size and communicating with the cavity when food falls, so that the food falls into the target loading container at the top of the loading containers. The chuck assembly is also used to lift the target loading container containing the food when the lifting assembly is raised to a preset height. as well as A packaging mechanism for providing a packaging film and using the packaging film to package the food and the target loading container; The chuck assembly includes two horizontally arranged chucks that are positioned opposite each other. The two chucks are controlled to move closer to each other or further away from each other, so as to lift the target loading container when they move closer to each other to a first preset position and to form the communication port when they move further away from each other to a second preset position.

2. The food packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two chucks are configured with a concave arc shape on the side facing each other.

3. The food packaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The arc of one side of the chuck matches the arc of the loading container.

4. The food packaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chuck assembly further includes a closing component for closing the gap between the two chucks when the two chucks move to the first preset position and for fully exposing the communication port when the two chucks move to the second preset position.

5. The food packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the chucks is equipped with a gravity sensor and is configured to open upon detection of food being placed on it, so that the food falls into the target container in the storage chamber.

6. The food packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two chucks are parallel to each other on their respective sides.

7. The food packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Also includes: Electromagnetic sterilization units are located on both sides of the packaging chamber and are used to sterilize the packaged food.

8. The food packaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The packaging mechanism is configured to package the food using a heat-shrink process.

9. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The food packaging device includes any one of claims 1-8.

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