A modular food vending machine

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of insulated vending machine technology, specifically a modular catering vending machine, including a cabinet for placing food bowls. An electric heating element assembly for heating and keeping water warm is installed in the middle of the cabinet. A water pump is fixedly installed at the bottom inside the cabinet, and an inlet pipe is fixedly installed through the water pump inlet. After water is added, the operator controls the water pump, the circulating electric valve, and the electric heating element assembly through a control box. The electric heating element assembly heats the insulated water, which enters the cabinet through a filter box, the circulating electric valve, the circulation pipe, the T-connector, the inlet pipe, the water pump, and the outlet pipe, achieving water circulation and ensuring uniform heating. During the circulation heating process, the insulated water passes through the filter box, and impurities carried by the water flow are removed by the filter element, reducing the amount of impurities adhering to the outside of the electric heating element assembly. This results in stable heating efficiency and extended cleaning cycles for the electric heating element assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of insulated vending machine technology, specifically a modular catering vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] Insulated food counters are crucial hot-chain display and sales equipment in the modern catering industry. Their core mission is to ensure that food remains at a safe and delicious optimal eating temperature during display and sales. This not only effectively inhibits bacterial growth and ensures food safety, but also locks in the aroma and moisture of the food, significantly enhancing the customer's dining experience. It has become standard equipment for fast food restaurants, canteens, buffets, and takeaway windows to improve operational efficiency, ensure product quality, and establish a professional image.

[0003] For example, the patent with authorization announcement number CN222285305U discloses an insulated vending machine. The hot air generated during the heating process of water can heat and keep the food in the dish warm. A second water pump can discharge the water in the inner cabinet through the outlet on the water outlet pipe to prevent the cold water from forming scale or tasting in the inner cabinet when the device is not used for a long time, thus affecting the use of the device. The first and second glass sliding doors, together with the glass outer frame, can form an insulated cavity to prevent the heat generated inside the cabinet from flowing to the outside, which greatly improves the heat preservation effect of the device. However, there are still some shortcomings.

[0004] The aforementioned patent shares a similar shortcoming with some existing vending counters that use water for heat preservation: the water at the bottom becomes less dense and flows upward, while the colder, denser water at the top sinks downward, forming a natural circulation. However, the speed of this natural circulation is limited and cannot keep up with the rate at which the heat source provides rapid heating, resulting in uneven temperature and prolonged heating time.

[0005] Furthermore, because the temperature sensor is located in a fixed position and there is a large temperature difference between the upper and lower water layers, the detection significance of the temperature sensor is reduced, and the temperature control fails. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a modular catering vending counter that solves the problem of poor water flow in the insulated water source.

[0007] A modular catering vending counter includes a cabinet for placing food bowls, an electric heating tube assembly for heating and keeping water warm is installed in the middle of the cabinet, a water pump is fixedly installed at the bottom inside the cabinet, and a water inlet pipe is fixedly installed in connection with the water pump inlet. The water inlet pipe has two connection states: the water inlet pipe is connected to an external clean water storage device to add clean water to the cabinet.

[0008] The water inlet pipe is connected to the insulation water inside the cabinet to achieve the circulation of the insulation water.

[0009] Preferably, a partition is fixedly installed in the middle of the cabinet, and a water outlet pipe is installed through the inner side of the partition, which is connected to the water pump outlet.

[0010] Preferably, a T-pipe is fixedly connected to the end of the water inlet pipe, a circulation pipe is fixedly connected to one end of the T-pipe, the circulation pipe passes through the partition, and a circulation electric valve is fixedly connected to the outside of the circulation pipe.

[0011] Preferably, one end of the three-way pipe is connected to and fixedly installed with a water injection pipe, which is connected to an external clean water storage device, and an electric water injection valve is connected to and fixedly installed on the outside of the water injection pipe.

[0012] Preferably, a control box is fixedly installed on the outside of the cabinet, and temperature sensors are fixedly installed on the inside of the cabinet and the partition. The control box is electrically connected to the water pump, the circulating electric valve, the water injection electric valve, and the temperature sensors.

[0013] Preferably, a filter box is fixedly installed on the top of the partition, the filter box is located outside the top opening of the circulation pipe, multiple water inlet holes are opened through the outside of the filter box, a filter element is installed inside the filter box, and a fixed cover is threaded to the top of the filter box.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0015] The modular catering vending counter described in this utility model allows staff to control the water pump, circulation electric valve, and electric heating tube assembly via a control box after water is added. The electric heating tube assembly heats the insulated water, which then flows into the cabinet through a filter box, circulation electric valve, circulation pipe, T-connector, inlet pipe, water pump, and outlet pipe, thus achieving circulation of the insulated water and ensuring uniform heating.

[0016] During the circulating heating process, the insulated clean water passes through the filter box, and the impurities carried by the water flow are removed by the filter element, reducing the amount of impurities attached to the outside of the electric heating tube assembly, thus stabilizing the heating efficiency of the electric heating tube assembly and extending the cleaning cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a modular catering vending counter provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the water pump connection for a modular catering vending machine provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the filter element connection for a modular catering vending machine provided by this utility model.

[0021] In the picture:

[0022] 1. Cabinet; 2. Control box; 3. Partition; 4. Water pump; 5. Outlet pipe; 6. Inlet pipe; 7. T-pipe; 8. Circulation pipe; 9. Circulation electric valve; 10. Water injection pipe; 11. Water injection electric valve; 12. Electric heating element assembly; 13. Filter box; 14. Water inlet hole; 15. Filter element; 16. Fixing cover; 17. Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the present utility model will be briefly introduced below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and descriptions of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following description of the structure of the accompanying drawings is only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. It should be noted that the description of these embodiments is used to help understand this utility model, but does not constitute a limitation on this utility model.

[0024] First embodiment:

[0025] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a modular catering vending counter, including a cabinet 1 for placing food bowls. A metal frame for placing food bowls is fixedly installed on the inner side of the cabinet 1. A water pump 4 is fixedly installed on the bottom inner side of the cabinet 1. A water inlet pipe 6 is fixedly installed through the water inlet of the water pump 4. The water inlet pipe 6 has two connection states. A partition 3 is fixedly installed in the middle of the cabinet 1. A water outlet pipe 5 is installed through the inner side of the partition 3. The water outlet pipe 5 is connected to the water outlet of the water pump 4.

[0026] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, one end of the three-way pipe 7 is connected to and fixedly installed with a water injection pipe 10, which is connected to an external clean water storage device. An electric water injection valve 11 is connected to and fixedly installed on the outside of the water injection pipe 10 to control the opening and closing of the water injection pipe 10.

[0027] In this embodiment, the water pump 4 and the electric water injection valve 11 are opened, and external clean water enters the cabinet 1 through the water injection pipe 10, the electric water injection valve 11, the three-way pipe 7, the water inlet pipe 6, the water pump 4, and the water outlet pipe 5.

[0028] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, a three-way pipe 7 is fixedly connected to one end of the water inlet pipe 6. A circulation pipe 8 is fixedly connected to one end of the three-way pipe 7. The circulation pipe 8 passes through the partition 3. A circulation electric valve 9 is fixedly connected to the outside of the circulation pipe 8 to control the opening and closing of the circulation pipe 8.

[0029] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, an electric heating tube assembly 12 for heating and heat preservation water is installed in the middle of the cabinet 1. Temperature sensors 17 are fixedly installed on the inner side of the cabinet 1 and the partition 3 to detect the temperature of the heat preservation water.

[0030] In this embodiment, after the water is added, the electric heating tube assembly 12 heats the heat-insulating water. The heat-insulating water enters the cabinet 1 from the circulating electric valve 9, the circulating pipe 8, the three-way pipe 7, the inlet pipe 6, the water pump 4, and the outlet pipe 5 to realize the circulation of the heat-insulating water, so that the heat-insulating water heats up evenly. The temperature sensor 17 monitors the water temperature of the heat-insulating water. When the water temperature reaches the set value, the electric heating tube assembly 12 is turned off. When the water temperature is lower than the set value, the electric heating tube assembly 12 is turned on.

[0031] During the heat preservation process, the water pump 4 and the circulating electric valve 9 are continuously open to achieve uninterrupted circulation of heat preservation water, which ensures accurate monitoring data by the temperature sensor 17 and stable food preservation temperature. Moreover, the temperature of different dishes varies due to factors such as the remaining amount, initial temperature, and frequency of handling, resulting in inconsistent temperatures of the surrounding heat preservation water. The continuously circulating heat preservation water can promptly activate the electric heating tube assembly 12 when the temperature is low, ensuring that each dish achieves the set heat preservation effect.

[0032] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, a control box 2 is fixedly installed on the outside of the cabinet 1. The control box 2 is electrically connected to the water pump 4, the circulating electric valve 9, the water injection electric valve 11, and the temperature sensor 17, which facilitates the staff to control the working status of each electrical unit.

[0033] Second embodiment:

[0034] The difference from the above embodiments is that, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, a filter box 13 is fixedly installed on the top of the partition 3. The filter box 13 is located outside the top opening of the circulation pipe 8. Multiple water inlet holes 14 are opened through the outside of the filter box 13. The heat-insulating clean water enters the circulation pipe 8 through the water inlet holes 14 and the filter box 13. A filter element 15 is installed inside the filter box 13 to remove impurities in the heat-insulating clean water and reduce the impact of impurities on the electric heating tube assembly 12 and the water pump 4. A fixing cover 16 is threaded to the top of the filter box 13 to facilitate the replacement of the filter element 15 by the staff. The filter element 15 can be made of PP cotton, activated carbon, etc., which are existing technologies and will not be described in detail.

[0035] In this embodiment, during the circulating heating process, the heat-insulating clean water passes through the filter box 13, and the impurities carried by the water flow are removed by the filter element 15, reducing the amount of impurities attached to the outside of the electric heating tube assembly 12, thereby stabilizing the heating efficiency of the electric heating tube assembly 12 and extending the cleaning cycle.

[0036] Specific working methods:

[0037] Staff placed the trays inside cabinet 1 and controlled the water pump 4 and the electric water valve 11 to open via control box 2. Clean water from outside entered cabinet 1 through water pipe 10, electric water valve 11, T-pipe 7, inlet pipe 6, water pump 4, and outlet pipe 5.

[0038] After water is added, the staff controls the water pump 4, the circulating electric valve 9, and the electric heating tube assembly 12 through the control box 2. The electric heating tube assembly 12 heats the heat-insulating water. The heat-insulating water enters the cabinet 1 through the filter box 13, the circulating electric valve 9, the circulating pipe 8, the three-way pipe 7, the inlet pipe 6, the water pump 4, and the outlet pipe 5, realizing the circulation of the heat-insulating water and making the heat-insulating water heat up evenly. The temperature sensor 17 monitors the water temperature of the heat-insulating water. When the water temperature reaches the set value, the electric heating tube assembly 12 is turned off through the control box 2. When the water temperature is lower than the set value, the temperature sensor 17 controls the electric heating tube assembly 12 to work through the control box 2.

[0039] The insulated clean water passes through the filter box 13, and the impurities carried by the water flow are removed by the filter element 15, reducing the amount of impurities attached to the outside of the electric heating tube assembly 12, so that the heating efficiency of the electric heating tube assembly 12 is stable and the cleaning cycle is extended.

[0040] During the heat preservation process, the water pump 4 and the circulating electric valve 9 are continuously open to achieve uninterrupted circulation of heat preservation water, which ensures accurate monitoring data by the temperature sensor 17 and stable food preservation temperature. Moreover, the temperature of different dishes varies due to factors such as the remaining amount, initial temperature, and frequency of handling, resulting in inconsistent temperatures of the surrounding heat preservation water. The continuously circulating heat preservation water can promptly activate the electric heating tube assembly 12 when the temperature is low, ensuring that each dish achieves the set heat preservation effect.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A modular catering vending counter, comprising a cabinet (1) for placing food bowls, wherein an electric heating tube assembly (12) for heating and maintaining the temperature of water is installed in the middle of the cabinet (1), characterized in that: A water pump (4) is fixedly installed on the bottom inside the cabinet (1). The water inlet of the water pump (4) is connected to a water inlet pipe (6). The water inlet pipe (6) has two connection states. The water inlet pipe (6) is connected to an external clean water storage device to add clean water to the cabinet (1). The water inlet pipe (6) is connected to the heat preservation water inside the cabinet (1) to realize the circulation of heat preservation water.

2. The modular catering vending counter according to claim 1, characterized in that: A partition (3) is fixedly installed in the middle of the cabinet (1), and a water outlet pipe (5) is installed through the inner side of the partition (3). The water outlet pipe (5) is connected to the outlet of the water pump (4).

3. The modular catering vending counter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inlet pipe (6) is fixedly connected to a three-way pipe (7) at one end, and a circulation pipe (8) is fixedly connected to one end of the three-way pipe (7). The circulation pipe (8) passes through the partition (3), and a circulation electric valve (9) is fixedly connected to the outside of the circulation pipe (8).

4. A modular food vending counter according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the three-way pipe (7) is connected to a water injection pipe (10) which is fixedly installed. The water injection pipe (10) is connected to an external clean water storage device. An electric water injection valve (11) is fixedly installed on the outside of the water injection pipe (10).

5. A modular food vending counter according to claim 4, characterized in that: A control box (2) is fixedly installed on the outside of the cabinet (1). Temperature sensors (17) are fixedly installed on the inside of the cabinet (1) and the partition (3). The control box (2) is electrically connected to the water pump (4), the circulating electric valve (9), the water injection electric valve (11), and the temperature sensor (17).

6. A modular food vending counter according to claim 3, characterized in that: A filter box (13) is fixedly installed on the top of the partition (3). The filter box (13) is located outside the top opening of the circulation pipe (8). Multiple water inlet holes (14) are opened through the outside of the filter box (13). A filter element (15) is installed inside the filter box (13). A fixed cover (16) is threadedly connected to the top of the filter box (13).

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