Vending device for vacuum-packaged prefabricated dishes

Abstract

The utility model discloses a vending device for vacuum-packaged prefabricated dishes, which belongs to the technical field of vending machines and comprises a shell frame, and a food making component, a food delivery component, a machine maintenance window, a food outlet, a payment window and a food ordering screen are mounted in the shell frame. The food making assembly comprises a bag opener, a squeezer, a heater and a fetching clamp which are sequentially arranged from bottom to top, the food delivering assembly comprises a dinner plate storage box and a food delivering device, a plurality of dinner plates are stored in the dinner plate storage box, the food delivering device is provided with a fixed part and a sliding part, and the fixed part and the sliding part are connected with each other. The fixing part is installed on the side wall of the shell frame and located below the bag opener. According to the selling device for the vacuum-packaged prefabricated dishes, a plurality of functional assemblies such as food conveying, meal making and meal delivering are integrated, all the assemblies are matched with one another, automation of the whole process from storage, conveying, making to meal delivery of the prefabricated dishes is achieved, manual intervention is greatly reduced, and the manual maintenance frequency and cost are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model specifically relates to a vending device for vacuum-packed pre-prepared dishes, belonging to the field of automatic vending machine technology. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the vending machine industry, pre-packaged food is mostly dispensed in the form of insulated storage cabinets. These machines use insulated storage cabinets to preserve the packaged food, and when a customer purchases it, a conveyor belt delivers the food to the dispensing slot.

[0003] However, this existing technology has many obvious drawbacks: First, it requires frequent daily maintenance, which consumes a lot of manpower and time; second, due to the limitations of food heating methods, it cannot achieve overnight storage, which limits operating time; third, the storage capacity is small, which is difficult to meet the needs of a large number of customers; and fourth, the menu is limited, which cannot provide customers with a variety of flavor combinations and cannot meet the personalized needs of different customers. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a vending device for vacuum-packed pre-prepared meals, enabling customers to select, unpack, heat, and serve their meals immediately, ensuring the taste and variety of the food, reducing the machine maintenance cycle, and facilitating food replenishment.

[0005] A vending device for vacuum-packed pre-prepared meals includes an outer frame. Inside the outer frame are a food preparation component, a food delivery component, a machine maintenance window, a food dispensing outlet, a payment window, and an ordering screen. The food preparation component includes, from bottom to top, a bag opener, a squeezer, a heater, and a food retrieval clamp. The food delivery component includes a tray storage box and a food delivery device. The tray storage box stores multiple trays. The food delivery device has a fixed part and a sliding part. The fixed part is installed on the side wall of the outer frame and located below the bag opener. The sliding part slides up and down along the fixed part to move individual trays. The machine maintenance window includes a small heating and transfer cabinet, a waste collection port, and a can storage and conveying component. The food dispensing outlet connects the food delivery component and the small heating and transfer cabinet. Inside the outer frame, a food conveying component is also provided to transport the pre-packaged food to above the food retrieval clamp.

[0006] Furthermore, the food conveying assembly includes conveyor wheel axles rotatably mounted at the four corners inside the outer frame, and a conveyor chain is driven between the four conveyor wheel axles. Packaging clamps for clamping and fixing pre-packaged food are mounted on the conveyor chain.

[0007] Furthermore, multiple packaging clips are provided, and the multiple packaging clips are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the conveyor chain.

[0008] Furthermore, a transmission motor for driving the transmission wheel shaft to rotate around its own axis is also installed inside the outer casing frame. The transmission motor is installed inside the outer casing frame, and the driving end of the transmission motor is connected to the end of one of the transmission wheel shafts.

[0009] Furthermore, the bag opener includes an electric motor, the drive end of which is connected to a rotating shaft. Both ends of the rotating shaft and the inside of the outer frame are equipped with transmission wheels. A transmission belt is connected between the two opposing transmission wheels, and a guide rail is installed on the transmission belt.

[0010] Furthermore, the retrieval clamp includes a servo motor installed inside the outer frame. The drive end of the servo motor is connected to a rotating rod. Both ends of the rotating rod and the inside of the outer frame are equipped with synchronous pulleys. A synchronous belt is connected between the two opposing synchronous pulleys. A support is installed inside the outer frame. A bearing seat connected to the synchronous belt is slidably arranged on the support. An electric telescopic rod is hinged on the bearing seat. An electric motor for driving the electric telescopic rod to rotate is also provided on the bearing seat.

[0011] Furthermore, the food delivery device includes a bracket installed inside the outer shell frame, a slide block slidably mounted on the bracket, a support arm mounted on the slide block, a threaded rod parallel to the bracket rotatably mounted inside the outer shell frame, the slide block being threadedly connected to the threaded rod, and a drive motor for driving the threaded rod to rotate being installed inside the outer shell frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the side wall of the outer shell frame is also provided with a viewing window, which is made of tempered glass.

[0013] Beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. This utility model is a vending device that integrates multiple functional components such as food conveying, food preparation, and food delivery. The components work together to realize the full automation of the pre-made food process from storage, conveying, preparation to serving, which greatly reduces manual intervention and lowers the frequency and cost of manual maintenance.

[0015] 2. This utility model adopts a pre-packaged food selection, unpacking, and heating method, solving the problem of food not being able to be stored overnight in existing technologies and extending operating time. Simultaneously, the heater uses a combination of infrared heating tubes and hot air circulation, along with structural designs such as the extruder, ensuring uniform heating and stable food quality, thus meeting customer requirements for taste and quality.

[0016] 3. In this utility model, the food conveying component is enclosed inside the outer frame and, together with multiple packaging clips, can store a large quantity and various types of pre-packaged food, meeting the needs of a large number of customers and providing customers with diverse flavor options, thus solving the problems of limited storage capacity and limited menu items in traditional vending equipment.

[0017] 4. The machine maintenance window of this utility model facilitates daily maintenance and food replenishment by staff; the transparent window design increases consumer transparency and enhances user trust, while also allowing staff to monitor the equipment's operating status in real time, promptly detect and handle faults or abnormalities, and improve equipment maintenance efficiency and operational safety. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell frame in its concealed state in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the food transfer component in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the bag opener and the squeezer in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the object-retrieving clip in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the food delivery device in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the canned food storage and conveying assembly in this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Outer frame; 2. Food preparation component; 3. Food delivery component; 4. Machine maintenance window; 5. Food outlet; 6. Viewing window; 7. Payment window; 8. Ordering screen; 9. Bag opener; 91. Electric motor; 92. Rotating shaft; 93. Drive wheel; 94. Drive belt; 95. Guide rail; 10. Extruder; 11. Heater; 12. Item grabber; 121. Servo motor; 122. Rotating rod; 123. Synchronous pulley; 124. Synchronous belt; 125. Support; 126. Electric telescopic pole; 127. Electric motor; 13. Tray storage box; 14. Food delivery device; 141. Bracket; 142. Threaded rod; 143. Slide; 144. Support arm; 145. Drive motor; 15. Small heating and conveying cabinet; 16. Waste recycling port; 17. Canned food storage and conveying assembly; 171. Horizontal conveyor belt; 172. Vertical conveyor belt; 18. Conveyor wheel axle; 19. Packaging clamp; 20. Conveyor chain; 21. Pre-packaged food. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] Please see Figures 1-7 As shown, a vending device for vacuum-packed pre-prepared meals includes an outer frame 1. Inside the outer frame 1 are a food preparation component 2, a food delivery component 3, a machine maintenance window 4, a food dispensing outlet 5, a payment window 7, and an ordering screen 8. The food preparation component 2 includes, from bottom to top, a bag opener 9, a squeezer 10, a heater 11, and a food retrieval clamp 12. The food delivery component 3 includes a plate storage box 13 and a food delivery device 14. The plate storage box 13 stores multiple plates. The food delivery device 14 has a fixed part and a sliding part. The fixed part is installed on the side wall of the outer frame 1 and is located below the bag opener 9. The sliding part slides up and down along the fixed part to move a single plate. The machine maintenance window 4 includes a small heating and transfer cabinet 15, a waste collection port 16, and a can storage and conveying component 17. The food dispensing outlet 5 connects the food delivery component 3 and the small heating and transfer cabinet 15. Inside the outer frame 1, there is also a food conveying component. The food conveying component surrounds the inside of the outer frame 1 to convey the pre-packaged food 21 to the top of the food retrieval clamp 12.

[0028] Specifically, after the user selects dishes through the ordering screen 8 and completes payment at the payment window 7, the food conveying component transports the pre-packaged food 21, enclosed within the outer frame 1, to the top of the retrieval clamp 12. The retrieval clamp 12 grabs the pre-packaged food 21, which is then heated by the heater 11, opened by the bag opener 9, and extruded by the extruder 10. Simultaneously, the sliding part of the food delivery device 14 slides downwards along the fixed part to retrieve a single plate from the plate storage box 13, then moves upwards to receive the extruded food, and finally moves laterally to deliver the plate to the serving port 5. Staff can replenish canned food through the machine maintenance window 4 in the small heating and conveying cabinet 15, clean packaging bags at the waste recycling port 16, and replenish ingredients at the can storage and conveying component 17. This vending device integrates multiple functional components, and through the collaborative work of these components, the entire process of pre-prepared food preparation, from storage and conveying to cooking and serving, is fully automated. Compared to existing insulated storage cabinets, this significantly reduces the frequency of manual maintenance; pre-packaged foods can be selected, unpacked, and heated on the spot, enabling overnight storage and extending operating time; the food conveying components are enclosed inside the outer frame 1, which can store a large quantity and variety of pre-packaged foods, meeting the needs of a large number of customers, providing diverse flavor combinations, and solving the problems of limited storage capacity and limited menu options in existing technologies.

[0029] It should be noted that the canned food storage and conveying assembly 17 includes a transverse conveyor belt 171 and a longitudinal conveyor belt 172. The transverse conveyor belt 171 stores canned food. When the transverse conveyor belt 171 is started, it can convey the canned food stored on it to the longitudinal conveyor belt 172. The longitudinal conveyor belt 172 is located in front of the transverse conveyor belt 171 in the conveying direction, so as to convey the canned products conveyed thereon to the designated location.

[0030] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the food conveying assembly includes conveying wheel shafts 18 rotatably installed at the four corners inside the outer shell frame 1, and a conveying chain 20 is connected between the four conveying wheel shafts 18. Packaging clamps 19 for clamping and fixing pre-packaged food 21 are installed on the conveying chain 20.

[0031] Specifically, the transmission motor drives the transmission wheel shaft 18 at the four corners inside the outer frame 1 to rotate. The transmission wheel shaft 18 drives the transmission chain 20. The packaging clamp 19 on the transmission chain 20 holds the pre-packaged food 21. As the transmission chain 20 moves, the pre-packaged food 21 is transported to the top of the retrieval clamp 12. This food conveying assembly, consisting of the transmission wheel shaft 18, the transmission chain 20, and the packaging clamp 19, has a simple structure and stable transmission. It can efficiently and continuously transport the pre-packaged food 21, ensuring the continuous supply of food to the vending device, improving the efficiency and reliability of food conveying, and is also easy to install and maintain.

[0032] As a technical optimization of this utility model, multiple packaging clips 19 are provided, and the multiple packaging clips 19 are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the conveyor chain 20.

[0033] Specifically, multiple packaging clamps 19, which are equidistantly arranged along the length of the conveyor chain 20, evenly distribute and clamp the pre-packaged food 21 during the transmission of the conveyor chain 20, thereby realizing the batch and orderly conveying of the pre-packaged food 21. The equidistant arrangement of the packaging clamps 19 ensures that the pre-packaged food 21 is evenly distributed during the conveying process, avoiding food accumulation or collision, ensuring the integrity and safety of the food, and also facilitating the accurate grabbing of food by the grabber 12, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the entire vending device.

[0034] As a technical optimization of this utility model, a transmission motor for driving the transmission wheel shaft 18 to rotate around its own axis is also installed inside the outer shell frame 1. The transmission motor is installed inside the outer shell frame 1, and the driving end of the transmission motor is connected to the end of one of the transmission wheel shafts 18.

[0035] Specifically, the transmission motor is installed inside the outer frame 1, and its drive end is connected to the end of one of the transmission wheel shafts 18. After the transmission motor starts, it drives the connected transmission wheel shaft 18 to rotate, and then drives other transmission wheel shafts 18 to rotate through the transmission chain 20, so as to realize the operation of the food transmission component. The transmission motor drives the transmission wheel shafts 18, which is powerful and precise. It can stably control the operating speed and direction of the food transmission component according to the operating requirements of the vending device, ensure the stable delivery of pre-packaged food 21, reduce the probability of failure, and improve the working efficiency and service life of the vending device.

[0036] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the bag opener 9 includes an electric motor 91, the driving end of the electric motor 91 is connected to a rotating shaft 92, both ends of the rotating shaft 92 and the inside of the outer frame 1 are equipped with transmission wheels 93, and a transmission belt 94 is connected between the two opposing transmission wheels 93, and a guide rail 95 is installed on the transmission belt 94.

[0037] Specifically, the electric motor 91 drives the rotating shaft 92 to rotate, and the transmission wheels 93 at both ends of the rotating shaft 92 rotate accordingly, driving the transmission belt 94 to drive the transmission. The guide rail 95 on the transmission belt 94 also moves accordingly. The guide rail 95 provides a movement track for the bag opening tool, realizing the bag opening operation of the pre-packaged food 21. This structural design of the bag opener 9, through the cooperation of the electric motor 91 and the transmission components, can achieve stable and efficient bag opening action. Compared with manual bag opening or simple mechanical bag opening, it has a higher degree of automation, more reliable bag opening effect, and is easy to adjust the bag opening speed and force, adapting to different specifications of pre-packaged food 21 and improving the applicability of the vending device.

[0038] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the retrieval clamp 12 includes a servo motor 121 installed inside the outer shell frame 1. The drive end of the servo motor 121 is connected to a rotating rod 122. Both ends of the rotating rod 122 and the inside of the outer shell frame 1 are equipped with synchronous pulleys 123. A synchronous belt 124 is connected between the two opposing synchronous pulleys 123. A support 125 is installed inside the outer shell frame 1. A bearing seat connected to the synchronous belt 124 is slidably arranged on the support 125. An electric telescopic rod 126 is hinged on the bearing seat. An electric motor 127 for driving the electric telescopic rod 126 to rotate is also provided on the bearing seat.

[0039] Specifically, the servo motor 121 drives the rotating rod 122 to rotate, and the synchronous pulleys 123 at both ends of the rotating rod 122 drive the synchronous belt 124 for transmission. The synchronous belt 124 is connected to the support seat, causing the support seat to slide on the support 125, thereby realizing the horizontal movement of the retrieval clamp 12. The electric motor 127 drives the electric telescopic rod 126 to rotate, and the electric telescopic rod 126 extends and retracts to adjust the height of the retrieval clamp 12, thereby realizing the precise gripping and placement of the pre-packaged food 21 by the retrieval clamp 12. The retrieval clamp 12 adopts the structure of servo motor 121, synchronous belt 124 and so on, which can realize high-precision multi-dimensional motion control. The gripping action is flexible and accurate, and can adapt to pre-packaged food 21 in different positions and postures, improving the success rate of gripping and work efficiency, and reducing the occurrence of food falling or being damaged.

[0040] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the food delivery device 14 includes a bracket 141 installed inside the outer shell frame 1, a slide block 143 slidably mounted on the bracket 141, a support arm 144 mounted on the slide block 143, a threaded rod 142 parallel to the bracket 141 rotatably mounted inside the outer shell frame 1, the slide block 143 being threadedly connected to the threaded rod 142, and a drive motor 145 for driving the threaded rod 142 to rotate is installed inside the outer shell frame 1.

[0041] Specifically, the drive motor 145 drives the threaded rod 142 to rotate, and the slide 143 is threadedly connected to the threaded rod 142. Under the rotation of the threaded rod 142, the slide 143 slides along the bracket 141, and the support arm 144 on the slide 143 drives the tray to move, realizing the actions of the food delivery device 14 taking the tray from the tray storage box 13, receiving food, and delivering the tray to the food outlet 5. The food delivery device 14 uses the threaded rod 142 for transmission, which has a compact structure and high transmission accuracy. It can accurately control the moving position and speed of the tray, ensuring a smooth and reliable food delivery process and preventing the food from spilling due to the tray shaking. It also facilitates precise cooperation with the food preparation component 2 and the food outlet 5, improving the overall working coordination of the vending device.

[0042] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the side wall of the outer shell frame 1 is also provided with a viewing window 6, and the viewing window 6 is made of tempered glass.

[0043] Specifically, the transparent window 6 allows users to easily understand the food preparation process, increasing consumer transparency and enhancing user trust. It also facilitates real-time monitoring of equipment operation by staff, enabling timely detection of faults or anomalies for maintenance and handling, thus improving equipment maintenance efficiency and operational safety. This clearly demonstrates the working mechanisms and advantages of each claim. If you believe any part of the analysis is insufficiently detailed, or if you have other supplementary needs, please feel free to contact us.

[0044] Working principle: When using this vacuum-packed pre-prepared food vending device, the user first selects the desired dishes through the ordering screen 8 and completes the payment operation at the payment window 7. At this time, the food conveying component starts to operate. The transmission motor drives the conveyor wheel shafts 18 at the four corners inside the outer frame 1 to rotate. The conveyor wheel shafts 18 drive the conveyor chain 20. The packaging clamps 19 evenly distributed on the conveyor chain 20 hold the pre-packaged food 21 and transport it orderly to the top of the retrieval clamp 12.

[0045] Driven by a servo motor 121, a synchronous pulley 123, and a synchronous belt 124, the gripper 12 moves horizontally, while an electric motor 127 and an electric telescopic rod 126 adjust its height to precisely grip the pre-packaged food 21. The gripped food then passes through a heater 11, where it is heated using a combination of infrared heating tubes and hot air circulation. Next, it reaches the bag opener 9, where an electric motor 91 drives a rotating shaft 92 to rotate, which in turn drives a guide rail 95 via a transmission wheel 93 and a transmission belt 94, providing a track for the bag opening tool to open the bag. Finally, the extruder 10 squeezes the food out of the packaging bag.

[0046] While the food is being prepared, the food delivery device 14 begins to operate. The drive motor 145 drives the threaded rod 142 to rotate, and the slide 143, which is threadedly connected to the threaded rod 142, slides along the bracket 141. The support arm 144 on the slide 143 moves the food tray, first taking out a single food tray from the food tray storage box 13, then moving upward to receive the extruded food, and finally moving laterally to deliver the food tray containing the food to the food outlet 5 for the user to take the food.

[0047] Staff can perform routine maintenance through the machine maintenance window 4, replenish canned food at the small heating and conveying cabinet 15, clean packaging bags generated during food preparation at the waste collection port 16, and replenish ingredients at the canned food storage and conveying assembly 17, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the vending machine. Furthermore, the viewing window 6 on the side wall of the outer frame 1 allows users to observe the food preparation progress and facilitates real-time monitoring of the equipment's operation by staff.

[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0049] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vending apparatus for vacuum packed pre-prepared meals, characterised in that: The system includes an outer frame (1), inside which are installed a food preparation component (2), a food delivery component (3), a machine maintenance window (4), a food outlet (5), a payment window (7), and an ordering screen (8). The food preparation component (2) includes, from bottom to top, a bag opener (9), a squeezer (10), a heater (11), and a food retrieval clamp (12). The food delivery component (3) includes a tray storage box (13) and a food delivery device (14). The tray storage box (13) stores multiple trays. The food delivery device (14) has a fixed part and a sliding part. The part is installed on the side wall of the outer frame (1) and located below the bag opener (9). The sliding part slides up and down along the fixed part to drive the single plate to move. The machine maintenance window (4) includes a small heating transfer cabinet (15), a waste recycling port (16) and a can storage and conveying assembly (17). The food outlet (5) connects the food delivery assembly (3) and the small heating transfer cabinet (15). The food conveying assembly is also provided inside the outer frame (1). The food conveying assembly is surrounded inside the outer frame (1) to convey the pre-packaged food (21) to the top of the retrieval clamp (12).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The food conveying assembly includes conveying wheel axles (18) rotatably mounted at the four corners inside the outer frame (1), and a conveying chain (20) is connected between the four conveying wheel axles (18). Packaging clamps (19) for clamping and fixing pre-packaged food (21) are installed on the conveying chain (20).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: Multiple packaging clips (19) are provided, and the multiple packaging clips (19) are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the conveyor chain (20).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The housing frame (1) is also equipped with a transmission motor for driving the transmission wheel shaft (18) to rotate around its own axis. The transmission motor is installed inside the housing frame (1), and the driving end of the transmission motor is connected to the end of one of the transmission wheel shafts (18).

5. The vending device for vacuum-packed pre-prepared dishes as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The bag opener (9) includes an electric motor (91), the drive end of which is connected to a rotating shaft (92). Both ends of the rotating shaft (92) and the inside of the outer frame (1) are equipped with transmission wheels (93). A transmission belt (94) is connected between the two opposing transmission wheels (93), and a guide rail (95) is installed on the transmission belt (94).

6. The vending device for vacuum-packed pre-prepared dishes as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The retrieval clamp (12) includes a servo motor (121) installed inside the outer shell frame (1). The drive end of the servo motor (121) is connected to a rotating rod (122). Both ends of the rotating rod (122) and the inside of the outer shell frame (1) are equipped with synchronous pulleys (123). A synchronous belt (124) is connected between the two opposite synchronous pulleys (123). A support (125) is installed inside the outer shell frame (1). A bearing seat connected to the synchronous belt (124) is slidably arranged on the support (125). An electric telescopic rod (126) is hinged on the bearing seat. An electric motor (127) for driving the electric telescopic rod (126) to rotate is also provided on the bearing seat.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum-packed pre-cooked food is a rice ball. The food delivery device (14) includes a bracket (141) installed inside the outer shell frame (1), a slide block (143) slidably mounted on the bracket (141), a support arm (144) mounted on the slide block (143), a threaded rod (142) parallel to the bracket (141) rotatably mounted inside the outer shell frame (1), the slide block (143) being threadedly connected to the threaded rod (142), and a drive motor (145) for driving the threaded rod (142) to rotate is installed inside the outer shell frame (1).

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The side wall of the outer shell frame (1) is also provided with a viewing window (6), and the viewing window (6) is made of tempered glass.

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