A gravity-type tableware retrieval mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of food processing technology and discloses a gravity-type tableware dispensing mechanism, including a tableware storage tank and a base. The tableware storage tank has a storage box cavity. A discharge port is located at the lower front side of the tableware storage tank, and a pushing mechanism is provided on the base. The pushing mechanism includes a first rotating component, a second rotating component, and a power component. The first and second rotating components are rotatably mounted on the base, and a lever assembly is fixedly provided at the top edge of each of the first and second rotating components. In a first state, both lever assemblies are located outside the storage box cavity. In a second state, the two lever assemblies simultaneously enter the storage box cavity and push the lowest tableware box in the storage box cavity out from the discharge port. This invention has the advantages of compact and stable structure, ease of use, and stable tableware box dispensing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food processing equipment technology, and in particular to a gravity-type tableware dispensing mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the existing fast food catering industry, such as packaged rice noodles, noodles, dumplings, and instant noodles, these foods are stored and packaged in boxes before being sold. Some existing equipment has the function of automatically steaming and cooking food, but it usually does not provide utensils (chopsticks or spoons), requiring users to bring their own, which causes inconvenience. Other equipment places a large number of utensils next to the user for self-service, but some users often take more than they need, resulting in missing utensils. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a gravity-type tableware dispensing mechanism that is structurally stable and compact, easy to use, and automatically and stably dispenses a set of tableware in a single operation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A gravity-type tableware retrieval mechanism includes a tableware storage trough and a horizontal base at the bottom of the tableware storage trough. The tableware storage trough has vertically distributed storage cavities for stacking tableware boxes. The lower front end of the tableware storage trough has a discharge port that can only accommodate one tableware box at a time. The base is equipped with a pushing mechanism.

[0006] The pushing mechanism includes a first rotating component, a second rotating component, and a power component. The first rotating component and the second rotating component are rotatably mounted on the base, and a pry block component is fixedly provided at the top edge of the first rotating component and the second rotating component.

[0007] Under the action of the power assembly, the first rotating component and the second rotating component rotate in opposite directions but at the same speed;

[0008] In the first state, both sets of lever assemblies are located outside the storage box cavity; in the second state, the two sets of lever assemblies enter the storage box cavity synchronously with the rotation of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and push the bottommost tableware box in the storage box cavity out from the discharge port. The tableware box moves downward to the preset position under the action of gravity.

[0009] The first and second rotating components drive two sets of lever assemblies to move synchronously, pushing the cutlery box out of the outlet. Under gravity, the cutlery box moves downwards for dispensing, thus achieving a stable cutlery retrieval action. After the lever assemblies reset, the upper cutlery box automatically descends one position under gravity, making it easier to retrieve the next cutlery box. This rotating ejection method results in a more compact structure, smaller size, and more stable and convenient use.

[0010] Preferably, the storage box cavity has a cuboid structure, the rear side of the tableware storage slot has a notch that communicates with the storage box cavity, and the lower rear side of the tableware storage slot has a baffle plate with a channel on the baffle plate to facilitate the entry and exit of the prying block assembly into and out of the storage box cavity.

[0011] Preferably, the baffle is provided with a first sensor for detecting whether the lowest cutlery box in the storage box cavity is in place.

[0012] Preferably, a second sensor is provided at the lower end of the tableware storage trough and at the two ends of the discharge port to detect whether the lowest tableware box in the storage box cavity is in place.

[0013] Preferably, the first rotating member is configured as a first gear, and the second rotating member is configured as a second gear, wherein the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other;

[0014] The power assembly includes a motor, a drive wheel connected to the motor, and a driven wheel that is driven to rotate by the drive wheel. The driven wheel is coaxially and fixedly connected to a first gear or a second gear.

[0015] Preferably, both the first and second gears are sector gears and symmetrically meshed. In the second state, the non-gear surfaces of the first and second gears face the front of the tableware storage slot, so that tableware boxes falling from the outlet can avoid the first and second gears. By using sector gears and having the non-gear surfaces face the outlet in the second state, this arrangement can minimize the structural dimensions in the stroke direction while meeting the stroke requirements.

[0016] Preferably, the paddle assembly includes an arc-shaped support plate and connecting posts that are vertically fixed to both ends of the lower side of the arc-shaped support plate. The lower end of the connecting post is fixedly connected to the upper side edge of the first gear. The center of the arc-shaped support plate is concentric with the center of the first gear, and the paddle assemblies on the second gear are symmetrically distributed with the paddle assemblies on the first gear.

[0017] Preferably, the tableware storage tank and the pushing mechanism are provided in two sets, and a material discharge channel is formed between the two sets of tableware storage tanks. The discharge ports of the two sets of tableware storage tanks are distributed facing each other and are both connected to the material discharge channel.

[0018] Therefore, the present invention has the advantages of compact and stable structure, ease of use, and stable material output from the tableware box. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1Another perspective view.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the first state.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Another perspective view.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the toggle assembly extending from the cutlery box in the second state.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the second state.

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Another perspective view.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of two sets of tableware storage compartments.

[0027] In the picture: Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Features specified as "first" or "second" may expressly or implicitly indicate that at least one of those features is included.

[0030] like Figures 1-6 The gravity-type tableware retrieval mechanism shown includes a tableware storage tank 10 and a horizontal base 11 at the bottom of the tableware storage tank. The tableware storage tank 10 has vertically distributed storage cavities 100 for stacking tableware boxes. The lower front end of the tableware storage tank has a discharge port 101 that can only accommodate one tableware box 20 at a time. The base is equipped with a pushing mechanism 12. The pushing mechanism 12 includes a first rotating component 120, a second rotating component 121, and a power component 13. The first rotating component 120 and the second rotating component 121 are rotatably mounted on the base 11. A lever assembly 14 is fixed at the top edge of the first rotating component and the second rotating component. Under the action of the power component 13, the first rotating component 120 and the second rotating component 121 rotate in opposite directions and rotate at the same speed.

[0031] In the first state (e.g.) Figure 3As shown), both sets of lever assemblies 14 are located outside the storage box cavity 100; in the second state (as shown) Figure 6 As shown, the two sets of lever assemblies 14 enter the storage box cavity 100 synchronously with the rotation of the first rotating component and the second rotating component, and push out the lowermost cutlery box 20 from the discharge port 101. The cutlery box 20 moves downward to the preset position under the action of gravity. The cutlery box contains one or more cutlery, such as chopsticks, spoons, forks and other cutlery.

[0032] The storage box cavity 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped structure. A notch 102 communicating with the storage box cavity is provided on the rear side of the cutlery storage slot 10. A baffle 15 is provided on the lower rear side of the cutlery storage slot 10, and a channel 150 is provided on the baffle 15 to facilitate the entry and exit of the cutting block assembly into and out of the storage box cavity. The notch makes the interior of the storage box visible, allowing for a direct view of the remaining amount of cutlery boxes inside, and making it easier to dispose of cutlery boxes when they are used up.

[0033] The baffle 15 is equipped with a first sensor 151 for detecting whether the bottommost cutlery box in the storage cavity is in place. A second sensor 152 is located at the lower end of the cutlery storage trough 10, corresponding to both ends of the discharge port, for detecting whether the bottommost cutlery box in the storage cavity is in place. The first sensor 151 is configured as a reflective sensor or proximity switch, while the second sensor 152 is configured as a through-beam sensor. Both the first and second sensors are used to detect whether the cutlery boxes are empty. If neither sensor detects a signal, it indicates that the cutlery boxes in the storage cavity are empty and need to be replenished. The first and second sensors provide dual detection, ensuring stable detection even if either one fails.

[0034] The first rotating component 120 is configured as a first gear 1200, and the second rotating component 121 is configured as a second gear 1210. The first gear 1200 and the second gear 1210 mesh with each other. The power assembly 13 includes a motor 130, a driving wheel 131 connected to the motor, and a driven wheel 132 driven to rotate by the driving wheel. The driven wheel is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first gear or the second gear. In this embodiment, both the driving wheel and the driven wheel are configured as synchronous pulleys and are connected by a synchronous belt 133.

[0035] The first gear 1200 and the second gear 1210 are both configured as sector gears and are symmetrically meshed. In the second state, the non-gear surfaces (the side without teeth) of the first gear 1200 and the second gear 1210 face the front side of the tableware storage tank (the side where the discharge port is located), so that the tableware box falling from the discharge port can avoid the first gear and the second gear.

[0036] The paddle assembly 14 includes an arc-shaped support plate 140 and a connecting post 141 that is vertically fixed to both ends of the lower side of the arc-shaped support plate. The lower end of the connecting post 141 is fixedly connected to the upper side edge of the first gear. The center of the arc-shaped support plate 140 is concentric with the center of the first gear. The paddle assemblies on the second gear are symmetrically distributed with the paddle assemblies on the first gear.

[0037] In some embodiments, in order to increase the storage capacity of the tableware box, two sets of tableware storage troughs and two sets of feeding mechanisms are provided. A feeding channel 16 is formed between the two sets of tableware storage troughs. The discharge ports of the two sets of tableware storage troughs are distributed facing each other and are connected to the feeding channel.

[0038] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the principle of the present invention is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the cutlery boxes are stacked in the storage cavity. In the initial state (first state), the lever assembly is in the position... Figure 3 box Figure 4 In the state shown, when a cutlery box needs to be retrieved, motor 130 drives the first gear 1300 to rotate, and the first gear of the second gear box rotates synchronously in the opposite direction. This causes the pusher assembly 14 to rotate from the channel 150 into the storage box cavity, thereby pushing the bottom cutlery box in the storage box cavity out of the discharge port. At this time, the pushing mechanism is in the state of... Figures 5-7 The second state is shown; after the bottom cutlery box is pushed out, the previous cutlery box falls onto the top of the toggle assembly and is supported. When the toggle assembly returns to its initial state, the cutlery box loses its support and falls onto the base, preparing for the next dispensing. This method of pushing material by rotation results in a smaller overall structure in the stroke direction, making the structure more compact and stable.

[0039] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by up, down, left, right, inner end, outer end, one end, and the other end are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of more clearly describing the technical solutions of this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0040] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A gravity-type tableware retrieving mechanism, characterized in that, It includes a tableware storage trough and a horizontal base at the bottom of the tableware storage trough. The tableware storage trough has vertically distributed storage cavities for stacking tableware boxes. The lower front side of the tableware storage trough has a discharge port that can only accommodate one tableware box at a time. The base is equipped with a pushing mechanism. The pushing mechanism includes a first rotating component, a second rotating component, and a power component. The first rotating component and the second rotating component are rotatably mounted on the base, and a pry block component is fixedly provided at the top edge of the first rotating component and the second rotating component. Under the action of the power assembly, the first rotating component and the second rotating component rotate in opposite directions but at the same speed; In the first state, both sets of lever components are located outside the storage box cavity; in the second state, the two sets of lever components enter the storage box cavity synchronously with the rotation of the first rotating component and the second rotating component, and push out the bottommost tableware box in the storage box cavity from the discharge port. The tableware box moves downward to the preset position under the action of gravity. The first rotating component is configured as a first gear, and the second rotating component is configured as a second gear, with the first gear and the second gear meshing with each other; the power assembly includes a motor, a driving wheel connected to the motor, and a driven wheel that is driven to rotate by the driving wheel, with the driven wheel being coaxially and fixedly connected to the first gear or the second gear; Both the first gear and the second gear are configured as sector gears and are symmetrically meshed. In the second state, the non-gear surfaces of the first gear and the second gear face the front side of the tableware storage slot, so that the tableware box falling from the discharge port can avoid the first gear and the second gear. The paddle assembly includes an arc-shaped support plate and connecting posts that are vertically fixed to both ends of the lower side of the arc-shaped support plate. The lower end of the connecting post is fixedly connected to the upper side edge of the first gear. The center of the arc-shaped support plate is concentric with the center of the first gear. The paddle assemblies on the second gear are symmetrically distributed with the paddle assemblies on the first gear. The tableware storage tank and the feeding mechanism are both provided in two sets. A feeding channel is formed between the two sets of tableware storage tanks. The discharge ports of the two sets of tableware storage tanks are distributed facing each other and are both connected to the feeding channel.

2. The gravity-type tableware retrieving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage box cavity has a cuboid structure. The rear side of the tableware storage slot has a notch that communicates with the storage box cavity. The lower rear side of the tableware storage slot has a baffle. The baffle has a channel to facilitate the entry and exit of the prying block assembly into and out of the storage box cavity.

3. The gravity-type tableware retrieving mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The baffle is equipped with a first sensor for detecting whether the bottom cutlery box in the storage box cavity is in place.

4. A gravity-type tableware retrieving mechanism according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The lower end of the tableware storage tank is equipped with a second sensor at the corresponding ends of the discharge port to detect whether the lowest tableware box in the storage box cavity is in place.

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