A full-automatic ice slurry making and selling machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to automatic vending machine technical field, concretely is a kind of full-automatic ice sand machine, including cabinet, selected and purchased device and controller, refrigeration bin and making bin are equipped in cabinet, passageway is equipped between the two, refrigeration bin is equipped with goods shelf and the first cup mechanism of the front of being arranged in goods shelf, the cup can be taken out from goods shelf by the first cup mechanism, and remove and send to the passageway or making bin, making bin is equipped with the feeding mechanism for adding auxiliary material to cup, the stirring mechanism for carrying out stirring wall breaking to material in cup and second cup mechanism, making bin is equipped with delivery outlet, second cup mechanism can remove and send the cup removed by the first cup mechanism to feeding mechanism, stirring mechanism or delivery outlet.The full-automatic ice sand machine provided by the utility model can automatically complete raw material storage, ice sand making and selling, without staff operating nearby, and can realize unmanned operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of smoothie machine technology, specifically a fully automatic smoothie making and selling machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the fast pace of modern life, convenient and healthy foods are highly sought after. Fresh fruit smoothies, which combine fresh fruit, water, and flavor, and are rich in vitamins, have become popular drinks. The increasing demand for smoothies in places such as offices, schools, and transportation hubs has driven the market development of automated smoothie-making equipment.

[0003] Currently, smoothie machines on the market are mainly divided into two categories. Traditional smoothie machines, commonly used in homes or small restaurants, require manual labor. Fruit is chopped and placed into the blending cup, then water, juice, jam, or other toppings are added manually before blending. While this method is low-cost, it relies entirely on manual labor, resulting in low efficiency and difficulty in meeting bulk or immediate supply needs. Inconsistent operation also affects quality. The other category consists of some commercial smoothie machines. Although these offer improved efficiency, they still lack automation, especially when handling pre-packaged fresh fruit cups. Many machines still require significant manual intervention; operators must manually remove the cups from the storage area and place them in the designated machine location, or manually transfer them. This not only increases labor costs and reduces overall production efficiency but may also lead to hygiene issues due to frequent contact. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to overcome the defects in the existing technology, the objective of this utility model is to provide a fully automatic smoothie making and selling machine.

[0005] This utility model achieves its objective through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A fully automatic smoothie vending machine includes a cabinet, a selection device, and a controller. The cabinet contains an independent refrigeration compartment and a production compartment, connected by a passageway. The refrigeration compartment has a shelf for placing cups and a first cup-retrieving mechanism positioned in front of the shelf. The cups contain ingredients. The first cup-retrieving mechanism can remove cups from the shelf and move them to the passageway, through the passageway to the production compartment, or via a conveyor belt located in the passageway. The production compartment includes a feeding mechanism for adding ingredients to the cups, a stirring mechanism for mixing or breaking down the contents of the cups, and a second cup-retrieving mechanism. A dispensing port is located on the side wall or cabinet door of the production compartment. The second cup-retrieving mechanism can transfer cups removed by the first cup-retrieving mechanism to the feeding mechanism, stirring mechanism, or dispensing port. The controller is electrically connected to the selection device, the first cup-retrieving mechanism, the feeding mechanism, the stirring mechanism, and the second cup-retrieving mechanism.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the shelf includes several rows arranged vertically, and each shelf is provided with several slides arranged horizontally for placing cups. The front end of the slide is provided with a blocking part. The first cup-retrieving mechanism can take out a cup from the front end of any slide and move it to the channel. The slide is inclined downward from back to front so that when the cup at the front end of the slide is taken away, the cup behind can automatically slide forward to replenish it under the action of gravity.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, each of the slides is provided with an anti-tipping bracket above it. The anti-tipping bracket is parallel to the slide and is higher than the upper edge of the cup on the slide, with the distance between them being less than the distance required for the cup to tip over. The front end of the anti-tipping bracket extends to the rear of the cup at the front end of the slide, thereby avoiding obstruction of the cup's removal.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the cabinet is also equipped with a sealing mechanism or a lid-adding mechanism, and the second cup-retrieving mechanism can transfer the cup, which has been stirred by the stirring mechanism, to the sealing mechanism or lid-adding mechanism for sealing.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the outer wall of the cabinet or the manufacturing compartment is also provided with a straw dispensing mechanism.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the channel is provided with a first cup holder to prevent the cup from tipping over. The cups transferred to the channel by the first cup-retrieving mechanism are placed in the first cup holder. The channel is also provided with a movable door that can open or close the channel.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the stirring mechanism includes a fixed frame, on which a lifting motor and a movable frame capable of moving up and down are mounted. The lifting motor is connected to the movable frame via a screw drive mechanism, thereby driving it to move up and down. A stirring motor is mounted on the movable frame. The blade shaft driven by the stirring motor extends downward and is connected to a stirring blade at its front end. A pressure cup cover is also movably connected to the outside of the blade shaft. The pressure cup cover is located above the stirring blade and can rotate and slide up and down relative to the blade shaft. A spring is also sleeved on the outside of the blade shaft. The upper and lower ends of the spring abut against the movable frame and the pressure cup cover, respectively. The opening of the pressure cup cover faces downward and a second cup holder for placing a cup is provided directly below it.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the second cup holder includes a vertical tube for placing cups, and a rinsing nozzle is provided inside the vertical tube. The rinsing nozzle is connected to a water pump. The diameter of the upper opening of the vertical tube is not greater than the diameter of the cup-pressing cover so that the cup-pressing cover can still cover the vertical tube. The bottom of the vertical tube is provided with a wastewater collection port and is connected to a wastewater tank. The water pump is electrically connected to the controller.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the first cup-retrieving mechanism includes an X-axis guide rail arranged along the width direction of the refrigeration chamber, a Z-axis guide rail slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail, a Y-axis guide rail slidably connected to the Z-axis guide rail, a slider slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail, a cup-retrieving arm rotatably connected to the slider, a first driving mechanism for driving the Z-axis guide rail to slide left and right along the X-axis guide rail, a second driving mechanism for driving the Y-axis guide rail to slide up and down along the Z-axis guide rail, a third driving mechanism for driving the cup-retrieving arm to move back and forth along the Y-axis guide rail, and a fourth driving mechanism for driving the cup-retrieving arm to rotate left and right relative to the slider in the horizontal plane. The cup has a tapered structure with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter at the bottom. One end of the cup-retrieving arm is hinged to the slider, and the other end is provided with a first cup fork to facilitate picking up the cup from the side of the cup.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the second cup-retrieving mechanism includes a lifting mechanism, a multi-axis robotic arm mounted on the lifting mechanism, and a second cup fork mounted at the end of the robotic arm.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the main advantages of the fully automatic smoothie vending machine provided by this utility model are as follows: the refrigeration chamber can freeze or preserve the cups containing raw materials placed on the shelf. During use, the user can control the first cup-retrieving mechanism in the refrigeration chamber to automatically move the designated cups on the shelf to the aisle through the instruction issued by the selection device. Then, the second cup-retrieving mechanism in the refrigeration chamber will move the cups in the aisle to the feeding mechanism to add auxiliary materials (such as water, seasoning paste, etc.). Then, the cups will be moved to the mixing mechanism for wall-breaking and mixing. After the smoothie is made, it will be moved to the sealing mechanism or capping mechanism for sealing. Finally, the cups will be moved to the dispensing port to complete the dispensing. The whole process is automated and does not require the operation of staff, enabling unmanned operation.

[0017] The following will further explain the concept, specific structure and effects of this utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of this utility model. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the fully automatic smoothie maker in the embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the fully automatic smoothie vending machine behind the hidden cabinet doors and walls in the embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring mechanism.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first cup-retrieving mechanism.

[0022] The components include: cabinet 1, refrigeration chamber 11, production chamber 12, passageway 13, first cup holder 131, outlet 14, refrigeration module 15, selection device 2, shelf 3, slide rail 31, anti-tipping frame 311, first cup picking mechanism 4, X-axis guide rail 41, Z-axis guide rail 42, Y-axis guide rail 43, slider 44, cup picking arm 45, first cup fork 46, feeding mechanism 5, stirring mechanism 6, fixed frame 61, lifting motor 62, movable frame 63, stirring motor 64, cutter shaft 65, stirring blade 66, cup pressing cover 67, spring 68, second cup holder 69, vertical cylinder 691, second cup picking mechanism 7, lifting mechanism 71, robotic arm 72, second cup fork 73, sealing mechanism 8, and cup 100. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "connecting" or "communicating" with another element, it can be a direct connection to the other element or a connection through other intermediary elements. Unless otherwise specified, it can be a non-detachable connection or a detachable connection. Similar expressions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0024] like Figure 1-4As shown, this embodiment provides a fully automatic smoothie vending machine, including a cabinet 1, a selection device 2, and a controller. The cabinet 1 contains an independent refrigeration chamber 11 and a preparation chamber 12, connected by a passageway 13. The top of the cabinet 1 is equipped with a refrigeration module 15, including a compressor and condenser, for refrigerating the refrigeration chamber 11. The refrigeration chamber 11 contains a shelf 3 for placing cups 100 and a first cup-retrieving mechanism 4 positioned in front of the shelf 3. The cups 100 contain ingredients (such as frozen fresh fruit slices). The first cup-retrieving mechanism 4 retrieves the cups 100 from the shelf 3 and transfers them to the passageway 13. The preparation chamber 12 contains a feeding mechanism 5 for adding ingredients to the cups 100. The system includes a stirring mechanism 6 for stirring or breaking down the material inside the cup 100, and a second cup-retrieving mechanism 7. A discharge port 14 is provided on the side wall or cabinet door of the production chamber 12. The second cup-retrieving mechanism 7 can retrieve the cup 100 from the channel 13 and transfer it to the feeding mechanism 5, the stirring mechanism 6, or the discharge port 14. In this embodiment, the selection device 2 is a touch screen, located on the outer wall of the cabinet 1 and connected to a controller. The controller is connected to the first cup-retrieving mechanism 4, the feeding mechanism 5, the stirring mechanism 6, and the second cup-retrieving mechanism 7, and can control their automatic operation according to the input signal from the selection device 2. The connection between the controller and the relevant mechanisms is an electrical signal connection, which can be wired or wireless. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the first cup-retrieving mechanism can retrieve the cup from the shelf and directly transfer it through the channel to the production chamber. Or, a conveyor (such as a power-driven conveyor belt or a non-power-driven slide) can be provided at the channel to move the cup retrieved from the shelf and placed at the channel to the production chamber.

[0025] The fully automatic smoothie vending machine provided in this embodiment can freeze or preserve the cups 100 containing raw materials (such as frozen fresh fruit cuts) placed on the shelf 3 through the refrigeration chamber 11. When in use, the user can control the first cup-retrieving mechanism 4 in the refrigeration chamber 11 to automatically move the designated cups 100 on the shelf 3 to the channel 13 through the instruction issued by the selection device 2. Then, the second cup-retrieving mechanism 7 in the chamber will sequentially move the cups 100 in the channel 13 to the feeding mechanism 5 to add auxiliary materials (such as water, seasoning paste, etc.). Then, it will be moved to the mixing mechanism 6 for wall-breaking and mixing. After it is made, it will be moved to the sealing mechanism or capping mechanism for sealing. Finally, the cups 100 will be moved to the dispensing port 14 to complete the dispensing. The whole process is automated and does not require the operation of staff. It can achieve unmanned operation.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the shelf 3 comprises several rows arranged vertically, and each shelf is provided with several slides 31 arranged horizontally for placing cups 100. The front end of each slide 31 has a blocking part to prevent cups 100 from falling. The first cup-retrieving mechanism 4 can retrieve a cup 100 from the front end of any slide 31 and transfer it to the channel 13. The slide 31 is inclined downwards from back to front so that when a cup 100 at the front end of the slide 31 is removed, the cups 100 behind it can automatically slide forward to replenish it under gravity. By setting multiple rows of shelves on the shelf 3, with multiple slides 31 in each row, cups 100 containing different ingredients can be placed on different slides 31, making the variety richer and facilitating the retrieval by the first cup-retrieving mechanism 4. By setting the slides 31, after a cup 100 at the front end of the slide 31 is removed, the cups 100 behind it can automatically slide forward to replenish it under gravity, thereby achieving automatic replenishment without power operation.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, an anti-tipping bracket 311 is provided above each of the slide rails 31. The anti-tipping bracket 311 is parallel to the slide rail 31, higher than the upper edge of the cup 100 on the slide rail 31, and the distance between the anti-tipping bracket 311 and the cup 100 is less than the distance required for the cup 100 to tip over. The front end of the anti-tipping bracket 311 extends to the rear of the cup 100 at the front end of the slide rail 31, thereby avoiding obstruction of the cup 100's removal. By providing an anti-tipping bracket 311 on the slide rail 31, both tipping over of the cup 100 and obstruction of its removal can be prevented.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment, the cabinet 1 is further provided with a sealing mechanism 8, and the second cup-retrieving mechanism 7 can transfer the cup 100, which has been stirred by the stirring mechanism 6, to the sealing mechanism 8 for sealing. In this embodiment, the sealing mechanism 8 can be a sealing machine in the prior art, connected to the controller, so that it can automatically complete the sealing after production; in other embodiments, the sealing mechanism 8 can also be replaced by a capping mechanism.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment, the outer wall of the cabinet 1 or the manufacturing compartment 12 is also provided with a straw dispensing mechanism, which is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment, the channel 13 is provided with a first cup holder 131 that can prevent the cup 100 from tipping over. The cup 100 transferred to the channel 13 by the first cup-taking mechanism 4 is placed in the first cup holder 131. The channel 13 is also provided with an movable door that can open or close the channel 13.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment, the stirring mechanism 6 includes a fixed frame 61, on which a lifting motor 62 and a movable frame 63 capable of moving up and down are mounted. The lifting motor 62 is connected to the movable frame 63 through a screw transmission mechanism, thereby driving it to move up and down. A stirring motor 64 is mounted on the movable frame 63. The blade shaft 65 driven by the stirring motor 64 extends downward and is connected to a stirring blade 66 at its front end. A pressure cup cover 67 is also movably connected to the outside of the blade shaft 65. The pressure cup cover 67 is located above the stirring blade 66 and can rotate and slide up and down relative to the blade shaft 65. A spring 68 is also sleeved on the outside of the blade shaft 65. The upper and lower ends of the spring 68 abut against the movable frame 63 and the pressure cup cover 67, respectively. The opening of the pressure cup cover 67 faces downward and a second cup holder 69 for placing a cup 100 is provided directly below it. In use, the lifting motor 62 drives the movable frame 63 to move downwards with the stirring blade 66 and the cup cover. The cup cover 67 first abuts against the mouth of the cup 100. Then the movable frame 63 continues to move downwards until the stirring blade 66 extends into the stirring position inside the cup 100 and stops. During the process, the cup cover 67 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 68 and slides upwards along the blade shaft 65, thereby pressing the mouth of the cup to achieve a seal. Then the stirring motor 64 drives the blade shaft 65 to rotate the stirring blade 66 to achieve stirring and breaking of the material inside the cup 100.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the second cup holder 69 includes a vertical cylinder 691 for placing cups. The vertical cylinder 691 also has a rinsing nozzle (not shown in the drawings), which is connected to a water pump. The upper opening diameter of the vertical cylinder 691 is no larger than the diameter of the pressure cup cover so that the pressure cup cover can still cover the vertical cylinder 691. The bottom of the vertical cylinder 691 has a wastewater collection port connected to a wastewater tank. The water pump is electrically connected to the controller. This design facilitates lowering the pressure cup cover 67 after each operation to form a sealed space on the vertical cylinder 691, and then automatically cleaning the stirring blade 66 and the pressure cup cover 67 through the rinsing nozzle.

[0033] As a preferred embodiment, the first cup-taking mechanism 4 includes an X-axis guide rail 41 arranged along the width direction of the refrigeration chamber 11, a Z-axis guide rail 42 slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail 41, a Y-axis guide rail 43 slidably connected to the Z-axis guide rail 42, a slider 44 slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail 43, a cup-taking arm 45 rotatably connected to the slider 44, a first driving mechanism for driving the Z-axis guide rail 42 to slide left and right along the X-axis guide rail 41, a second driving mechanism for driving the Y-axis guide rail 43 to slide up and down along the Z-axis guide rail 42, a third driving mechanism for driving the cup-taking arm 45 to move back and forth along the Y-axis guide rail 43, and a fourth driving mechanism for driving the cup-taking arm 45 to rotate left and right relative to the slider 44 in the horizontal plane. The cup 100 has a tapered structure with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter at the bottom. One end of the cup-taking arm 45 is hinged to the slider 44, and the other end is provided with a first cup fork 46 for facilitating the taking of the cup 100 from the side of the cup 100. In this embodiment, the driving power of the first driving mechanism, the second driving mechanism, and the third driving mechanism can be a motor or a cylinder, and the transmission method can be a belt drive or a gear and rack drive. The driving power of the fourth driving mechanism can be a motor, and the transmission method can be a gear drive.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, the second cup-retrieving mechanism 7 includes a lifting mechanism 71, a multi-axis robotic arm 72 disposed on the lifting mechanism 71, and a second cup fork 73 disposed at the end of the robotic arm 72.

[0035] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the utility model involved in this application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. A fully automatic smoothie making and dispensing machine, characterized in that, The system includes a cabinet, a selection device, and a controller. The cabinet contains an independent refrigeration compartment and a production compartment connected by a passageway. The refrigeration compartment contains shelves for holding cups and a first cup-retrieving mechanism positioned in front of the shelves. The cups contain raw materials. The first cup-retrieving mechanism retrieves cups from the shelves and moves them to the passageway, through the passageway to the production compartment, or via a conveyor belt located in the passageway. The production compartment contains a feeding mechanism for adding auxiliary materials to the cups, a stirring mechanism for mixing or breaking down the materials in the cups, and a second cup-retrieving mechanism. A discharge port is located on the side wall or cabinet door of the production compartment. The second cup-retrieving mechanism can transfer cups removed by the first cup-retrieving mechanism to the feeding mechanism, stirring mechanism, or discharge port. The controller is electrically connected to the selection device, the first cup-retrieving mechanism, the feeding mechanism, the stirring mechanism, and the second cup-retrieving mechanism.

2. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shelf includes several rows arranged vertically, and each shelf is provided with several slides arranged horizontally for placing cups. The front end of the slide is provided with a blocking part. The first cup-retrieving mechanism can take out a cup from the front end of any slide and move it to the channel. The slide is inclined downward from back to front so that when the cup at the front end of the slide is taken away, the cup behind can automatically slide forward to replenish it under the action of gravity.

3. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the slides is equipped with an anti-tipping bracket above it. The anti-tipping bracket is parallel to the slide and is higher than the upper edge of the cup on the slide. The distance between the anti-tipping bracket and the cup is less than the distance required for the cup to tip over. The front end of the anti-tipping bracket extends to the rear of the cup at the front end of the slide, so as to avoid obstructing the removal of the cup.

4. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabinet is also equipped with a sealing mechanism or a lid-adding mechanism. The second cup-retrieving mechanism can transfer the cup, which has been stirred by the stirring mechanism, to the sealing mechanism or lid-adding mechanism for sealing.

5. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the cabinet or the manufacturing compartment is also equipped with a straw dispensing mechanism.

6. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passage is provided with a first cup holder to prevent the cup from tipping over. The cups transferred to the passage by the first cup-retrieving mechanism are placed in the first cup holder. The passage is also provided with a movable door that can open or close the passage.

7. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stirring mechanism includes a fixed frame, on which a lifting motor and a movable frame that can move up and down are mounted. The lifting motor is connected to the movable frame through a screw drive mechanism, thereby driving it to move up and down. A stirring motor is mounted on the movable frame. The blade shaft driven by the stirring motor extends downward and is connected to a stirring blade at its front end. A pressure cup cover is also movably connected to the outside of the blade shaft. The pressure cup cover is located above the stirring blade and can rotate and slide up and down relative to the blade shaft. A spring is also sleeved on the outside of the blade shaft. The upper and lower ends of the spring abut against the movable frame and the pressure cup cover, respectively. The opening of the pressure cup cover faces downward and a second cup holder for placing a cup is provided directly below it.

8. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second cup holder includes a vertical tube for placing cups, and a rinsing nozzle is provided inside the vertical tube. The rinsing nozzle is connected to a water pump. The diameter of the upper opening of the vertical tube is not greater than the diameter of the cup-pressing cover so that the cup-pressing cover can still cover the vertical tube. The bottom of the vertical tube is provided with a wastewater collection port and is connected to a wastewater tank. The water pump is connected to the controller via an electrical signal.

9. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cup-retrieving mechanism includes an X-axis guide rail arranged along the width direction of the refrigeration chamber, a Z-axis guide rail slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail, a Y-axis guide rail slidably connected to the Z-axis guide rail, a slider slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail, a cup-retrieving arm rotatably connected to the slider, a first drive mechanism for driving the Z-axis guide rail to slide left and right along the X-axis guide rail, a second drive mechanism for driving the Y-axis guide rail to slide up and down along the Z-axis guide rail, a third drive mechanism for driving the cup-retrieving arm to move back and forth along the Y-axis guide rail, and a fourth drive mechanism for driving the cup-retrieving arm to rotate left and right relative to the slider in the horizontal plane. The cup has a tapered structure with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter at the bottom. One end of the cup-retrieving arm is hinged to the slider, and the other end is provided with a first cup fork to facilitate picking up the cup from the side of the cup.

10. The fully automatic smoothie maker and dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second cup-retrieving mechanism includes a lifting mechanism, a multi-axis robotic arm mounted on the lifting mechanism, and a second cup fork mounted at the end of the robotic arm.

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