Device for serving and disposing of wet or raw food

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for serving and disposing of wet or raw food (2), comprising a conveyor device (10) with at least one conveyor belt (100) having an upper feed section (1000) to which wet or raw food can be fed manually, mechanically, and / or automatically, and having an end (1002) on the upper run (1001), at which remainders (20) of the wet or raw food (2) are fed by means of the conveyor belt (100) under the effect of gravity to at least one disposal container (11) arranged below the conveyor belt (100). The device (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the disposal container (11) is movably received on the device (1) and can be automatically brought from a closed position (11.1) into an open position (11.2) depending on different conveying positions (100.2) of the conveyor belt (100).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for serving and disposing of wet or raw food according to the preamble of patent claim 1. In particular, the present invention relates to a hygienic disposal mechanism for wet or raw food. Due to the oily viscosity and strong odor of wet or raw food, it is quite difficult to clean up any remaining residue in a bowl or serving dish. Pets often leave behind residue or spills, especially if they do not eat the entire portion. With automated wet food feeders that serve multiple portions of food daily for several days, the problem is exacerbated, as it is not only unappealing to pets and humans but also hazardous to the animals' health.Therefore, a solution for disposing of leftover food and cleaning and disinfecting the food dispensing area is an important aspect of any automatic feeder that provides wet or raw pet food. Furthermore, any serving, disposal, and cleaning mechanisms must be easy to clean in the sink or dishwasher. State of the art

[0002] The published patent application CN 108739452 A describes an automatic pet feeder that transports food from a hopper to an external feeding bowl and has a brush for cleaning the conveyor belt. No means for waste disposal or storage are described.

[0003] Published patent application EP 2 353 377 A1 describes a poultry feeding system with a conveyor belt system that allows the birds to eat the feed directly from the conveyor belt, and with a device for cleaning the conveyor belt. No means for disposing of the feed are described.

[0004] The published patent application CN 1 09 220 854 A describes a livestock feeding device with two conveyor belts, a cleaning function, and a feed hopper that serves as a serving bowl. The serving bowl itself is described as retractable and thus lockable.

[0005] Laid-open patent application CN 1 06 001 009 A also describes an automatic feeding system with a conveyor belt that transports food to an external material chamber, a cleaning chamber, and a material centralization chamber for disposal. No covers or closure devices are described for the disposal container. A similar idea is described in Laid-open patent application CN 111789039 A for a conveyor-belt feeding system in which food residues are scraped from a conveyor belt into a top-open feeding cavity. Closure devices are not described in either of these inventions, as they are not intended for use with wet food.

[0006] Patent application CN 1 14 631 493 A describes an automatic feeding device for aquaculture with a conveyor belt and a scraper, which is also used to close a wastewater collection tank. The scraper is movable around a pivot point to either scrape the conveyor belt or close the wastewater collection tank.

[0007] Finally, published patent application CN 1 14 631 493 A describes a self-cleaning animal trough comprising a main body, a conveyor belt, and a water spray head. The conveyor belt is used to place animal feed. Furthermore, food deflectors are mounted on the side walls of the trough main body at both ends above the conveyor belt. One end of the food deflector is hinged to the side wall of the trough main body, and the other end of the food deflector rests on the conveyor belt. Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a device which offers advantages in terms of cleanliness and hygiene when dispensing and disposing of oily and odorous wet or raw food residues.

[0009] This task is achieved by not simply disposing of the wet or raw food, but also by cleaning the dispensing area and placing any leftovers in a lockable disposal container.

[0010] According to the invention, the above object is achieved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the device according to the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Further objects, features, advantages and possible applications of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The drawings show Fig. 1 the device according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment in perspective view in the open position; Fig. 2 the device according to the invention as in Fig. 1 in perspective view in closed position; Fig. 3 a cleaning device with a scraper in perspective view. Implementation of the invention

[0013] As from Fig. 1 by way of example, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a conveyor device 10 with at least one conveyor belt 100 with an upper feed section 1000, to which wet or raw feed can be fed manually, mechanically and / or automatically, and with an end 1002 on the upper run 1001, at which residues 20 of the wet or raw feed 2 are fed by means of the conveyor belt 100 under the effect of gravity to at least one disposal container 11 arranged below the conveyor belt 100.

[0014] The device 1 according to the invention is characterized in that the disposal container 11 is movable relative to the conveyor belt 100 and can be automatically brought from a closed position 11.1 into an open position 11.2 depending on different conveying positions 100.2 of the conveyor belt 100.

[0015] The disposal container 11 is thus in the closed position 11.1 (at least in sections) in a closed state that effectively prevents the introduction of residues 20 into an opening 112 of the disposal container 11 according to the above embodiment. In the open position 11.2, the disposal container 11 is in a disposal state that allows the introduction of residues 20 into an opening 112 of the disposal container 11 according to the above embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The disposal container 11 can be mounted on the device 1, for example, by means of receptacles or guides provided on the device 1 in a displaceable, tiltable or pivotable and / or height-adjustable manner.

[0017] The disposal container 11 can further be actively driven by a motor or, for example, passively coupled to the movement of the conveyor belt 100 via any connecting element 16 (for example, a connecting rod). The degree of freedom is preferably limited by guide rails 160, which enable either a horizontal reciprocating movement or a vertical up-and-down movement, or a combination of both. In an alternative embodiment, the disposal container 11 can additionally be removable, for example, by being pushed laterally out of the device 1. The disposal container 11 itself then slides, for example, on guide rails and is mechanically actuated.

[0018] To form the opening 112, the disposal container 11 is preferably designed to be open upwards O (at least in sections and / or regions) or in the container section 110, so that residues 20 can fall into the disposal container 11 from above.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the disposal container 11 is movably received on the device 1 or its conveyor belt housing 18 and can be brought from the closed position 11.1 into the open position 11.2.

[0020] The disposal container 11 is preferably a) in the closed position 11.1 with at least a first container section 110 (preferably completely and advantageously closed thereby 11.1) below a cover 12 projecting beyond the first container section 110 and b) in the open position 11.2 with at least a second container section 111 in a region B between a vertical 1002.1 at the end 1002 of the upper run 1001 and a position 13 lying outside the vertical 1002.1 with respect to the conveyor belt 100, i.e. in the conveying direction F.

[0021] The cover 12 is preferably designed to at least partially or completely close the disposal container 11 or its opening 112 from above. For this purpose, the cover 12 can preferably be in contact with and / or rest against an opening 112 of the disposal container 11 in a form-fitting manner.

[0022] The cover 12 can, for example, be designed as a plate-like molded part. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cover 12 is arranged below the conveyor belt 100.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the cover 12 and thus also the disposal container 11 can also be arranged outside or to the side of the conveyor belt 100 and / or the conveyor belt housing 18 - as seen in the plan view of the conveyor belt 100.

[0024] It is also conceivable that the conveyor belt 100 or the conveyor belt housing itself forms the cover 12.

[0025] Furthermore, in its closed position, the disposal container 11 can preferably form an encapsulated enclosure at its upper opening with any cover 12 on the conveyor belt housing 18, which can be, for example, a base plate 180 below the conveyor belt 100 or a separate component forming the cover 12. To realize a seamless closing mechanism with the round rear conveyor belt roller 150, the rear side R of the disposal container 11 can preferably be higher than the front side.

[0026] The use of flexible membranes or other sealing means on the contact surface of the opening 112 of the disposal container 11 (with the counterpart or the counterpart itself) enables additional sealing of the disposal container 11 to the outside containing the odorous disposed food.

[0027] To prevent insects from entering, the pet feeder or unit may rest on multiple feet that are either surrounded by small water bowls, contain insect repellent, use adhesive tape, or have sharp, overhanging structures that prevent insects from entering the unit.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device 1 comprises at least one feeding and / or closing member 14 for the disposal container 11, by means of which the disposal container 11 can be automatically brought from a closed state 11.1 into an open state 11.2 depending on the respective conveying position 100.2 of the conveyor belt 100.

[0029] The feed and / or closure member 14 is preferably arranged at least in sections in a region B between a vertical 1002.1 at the end 1002 of the upper run 1001 and a position 13 lying outside the vertical 1002.1 with respect to the conveyor belt 100, i.e. in the conveying direction F, wherein the feed and / or closure member 14 is designed to close the disposal container 11 at least in said region B.

[0030] The feeding and / or closing member 14 can, for example, be designed to be displaceable, tiltable or pivotable and / or height-adjustable.

[0031] Furthermore, the feeding and / or closing member 14 can comprise at least one drive.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device 1 comprises at least one conveyor belt drive 15 for driving the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt drive 15 is operatively connected to the disposal container 11 and / or to the feed and / or closure member 14 in such a way that the disposal container 11 and / or the feed and / or closure member 14 is movable by means of the conveyor belt drive 15, wherein the positions 11.1, 11.2 of the disposal container 11 and / or of the feed and / or closure member 14 are dependent on the respective orientation, location and / or position of the conveyor belt drive 15 of the conveyor belt 100.

[0033] The conveyor belt drive 15 can further comprise at least one conveyor roller 150 which is operatively connected to the disposal container 11 and / or to the feed and / or closure member 14 in such a way that the disposal container 11 and / or the feed and / or closure member 14 is movable by means of the conveyor roller 150.

[0034] The disposal container 11 and / or the feed and / or closure member 14 is preferably operatively connected to the conveyor roller 150 by means of at least one connecting member 16, wherein the connecting member 16 is arranged on the rotating circumference 1500 of the conveyor roller 150 such that a rotation of the conveyor roller 150 causes a movement of the disposal container 11 and / or the feed and / or closure member 14.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a cleaning device 17 (see, for example, Fig.3), which is positioned on the underside U of the conveyor belt 100 and which is designed, by means of at least one scraper member 170, which bears positively against the conveyor belt 100, to wipe, scrape, brush or scrape the conveyor belt 100 during its movement and / or which is designed to clean the conveyor belt 100 by means of liquids.

[0036] The stripping member 170 is preferably arranged above the disposal container 11 in such a way that residues 20 removed from the conveyor belt by the stripping member 170 fall into the disposal container 11 in the open state 11.2.

[0037] The cleaning device 17 is preferably located directly beneath the conveyor belt 100 and can preferably be accommodated in a base plate 150 of the conveyor belt housing 18 and the disposal container 11. A cleaner holder 171 preferably serves to guide and hold wiper lips 172 or other mechanical cleaning agents such as brushes, water jets, or rags. It slides into the conveyor belt housing 18 via a guide mechanism 173 and can be easily pulled out by users using a pull-out button 174. An additional sterilization unit 175 can contain UV light or chemical agents and serves to disinfect the conveyor belt 100.

[0038] After the wet feed or raw feed 2 (hereinafter also referred to as feed), for example from flexible packaging, is loaded onto a feed section 1000 of the conveyor belt 100, the conveyor belt 100 discharges the feed 2 by moving forward toward the animal. In a second step, the conveyor belt 100 then disposes of all feed residues 20 by moving backward, so that the feed residues fall into the disposal container 11 by gravity.

[0039] In addition, any oily or sticky residues are then wiped off the conveyor belt 100 by the preferred cleaning device 17 located on the underside U of the conveyor belt 100. In a third step, after the dispensing and disposal process has been completed, the disposal container 11 is closed again to receive the discarded feed 2. This prevents the device 1 and its feed section 1000 (dispensing area) from becoming odorous and unhygienic.

[0040] The device 1 preferably comprises a conveyor belt housing 18 on which the individual components described are installed or preferably mounted.

[0041] The conveyor belt 100 is preferably tensioned between a rear conveyor belt roller or pulley 150 and a front conveyor belt roller or pulley 151 by a tensioning mechanism 152 (e.g., clamping jaws), which pulls or pushes the two rollers apart using a tension spring. Advantageously, the conveyor belt drive 15 has a drive pulley on the conveyor belt roller or pulley 151, via which any drive forces are applied to the conveyor device 10. Here, the motors can be connected either via integrated gears, toothed belts, or other mechanical coupling means. List of reference numbers 1 device 2 wet or raw food 3 feed dispensing unit 10 Conveyor system 11 Disposal container 11.1 Locking position 11.2 Opening position 12 Cover 13 Position outside the vertical 14 Feeding and / or closing device 15 Conveyor belt drive 16 connecting organ 17 Cleaning device 18 conveyor belt housing 20 Rest of the wet or raw food 100 conveyor belt 100.2 Funding position 110 first container section 111 second container section 112 Opening on the disposal container 150 rear conveyor roller 151 front conveyor roller / drive pulley 152 clamping mechanism (e.g. clamping jaws) 160 guide rails 170 scraper 171 Cleaner holder (housing) 172 wiper lips 173 Guide mechanism 174 Pull-out button 175 Sterilization unit 180 base plate 1000 feed section 1001 Obertrum 1002 End of the upper run 1002.1 Vertical 1500 circumference of the conveyor roller B Area between the vertical and the position F Conveying direction O Top of the disposal container R back U Underside of the conveyor belt

Claims

[1] Device (1) for serving and disposing of wet or raw food (2), comprising a conveyor device (10) with at least one conveyor belt (100) with an upper feed section (1000) to which wet or raw food (2) can be fed manually, mechanically and / or automatically, and with an end (1002) on the upper run (1001), at which residues (20) of the wet or raw food (2) are fed by means of the conveyor belt (100) under the effect of gravity to at least one disposal container (11) arranged below the conveyor belt (100), characterized by that the disposal container (11) is movable relative to the conveyor belt (100) and can be automatically brought from a closed position (11.1) into an open position (11.2) depending on different conveying positions (100.2) of the conveyor belt (100). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the disposal container (11) a) in the closed position (11.1) with at least a first container section (110) below a cover (12) projecting beyond the first container section (110) and b) in the opening position (11.2) with at least one second container section (111) in a region (B) between a vertical (1002.1) at the end (1002) of the upper run (1001) and a position (13) lying outside the vertical (1002.1) with respect to the conveyor belt (100), i.e. in the conveying direction (F). [3] Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the disposal container (11) is mounted on the device (1) in a displaceable, tiltable or pivotable and / or height-adjustable manner. [4] Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized byin that it comprises at least one feeding and / or closing member (14) for the disposal container (11), by means of which the disposal container (11) can be automatically brought from a closed state (11.1) into an open state (11.2) depending on the respective conveying position (100.2) of the conveyor belt (100). [5] Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that a) the feeding and / or closing member (14) is arranged at least in sections in an area (B) between a vertical (1002.1) at the end (1002) of the upper run (1001) and a position (13) lying outside the vertical (1002.1) with respect to the conveyor belt (100), i.e. in the conveying direction (F), wherein b) the supply and / or closure member (14) is designed to close the disposal container (11) at least in said area (B). [6] Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 4 and 5, characterized bythat the feeding and / or closing member (14) is designed to be displaceable, tiltable or pivotable and / or height-adjustable. [7] Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized by that the feeding and / or closing member (14) comprises at least one drive. [8] Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized byin that it comprises at least one conveyor belt drive (15) for driving the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt drive (15) is operatively connected to the disposal container (11) and / or to the feed and / or closure member (14) in such a way that the disposal container (11) and / or the feed and / or closure member (14) is movable by means of the conveyor belt drive (15), wherein the positions (11.1, 11.2) of the disposal container (11) and / or of the feed and / or closure member (14) are dependent on the respective orientation, location and / or position of the conveyor belt drive (15) of the conveyor belt (100). [9] Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the conveyor belt drive (15) comprises at least one conveyor roller (150) which is operatively connected to the disposal container (11) and / or to the feed and / or closure member (14) in such a way that the disposal container (11) and / or the feed and / or closure member (14) is movable by means of the conveyor roller (150). [10] Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by that the disposal container (11) and / or the feed and / or closure member (14) is operatively connected to the conveyor roller (150) by means of at least one connecting member (16), wherein the connecting member (16) is arranged on the rotating circumference (1500) of the conveyor roller (150) such that a rotation of the conveyor roller (150) causes a movement of the disposal container (11) and / or the feed and / or closure member (14). [11] Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it comprises a cleaning device (17) which is positioned on the underside (U) of the conveyor belt (100) and which is designed, by means of at least one scraper member (170), a) which rests positively on the conveyor belt (100) in order to wipe, wipe, brush or scrape the conveyor belt (100) during its movement and / or b) which is designed to clean the conveyor belt (100) by applying a liquid. [12] Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the scraper member (170) is arranged above the disposal container (11) in such a way that residues (20) removed by the scraper member (170) fall into the disposal container (11) in the open state (11.2).

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