Support frame for placement on a conveyor belt in the area of ​​commercial kitchens and food processing

Abstract

Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) for arrangement on a conveyor belt (200) in the area of ​​commercial kitchen and food processing,- wherein the support frame (2; 2a, 2b) is formed from two vertical struts (21) and a horizontal strut (20) connecting the two vertical struts (21) in such a way that a U-shape is formed,- wherein a bracket (23) is provided on a predetermined area of ​​the horizontal strut (20), which is designed so that a monitoring device (1) can be attached to it,- wherein a guide unit is arranged at a predetermined distance to each end area of ​​the vertical struts (21) opposite the horizontal strut (20), which has a first horizontal support leg (24).1) has a section of the vertical strut (21) which is arranged on a section of the vertical strut (21) which faces the opposite vertical strut (21) and which, after assembly, extends along a transport direction (T) of the conveyor belt (200), and which also has a guide means (25) which is arranged perpendicularly on the first support leg (24.1) and is attached to the vertical strut (21), - wherein a clamping device is provided at the end sections of the vertical struts (21) with which the support frame (2; 2a, 2b) can be detachably clamped to a body (202) of the conveyor belt (200).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of monitoring foodstuffs transported on conveyor belts in the area of ​​commercial kitchens and food processing. Monitoring devices are already known for tracking food transported on conveyor belts. These typically use camera systems mounted at a predetermined position above the belt, capturing images while the belt is running. A problem is that these monitoring devices usually require permanently installed frames or modifications to the conveyor belt's design. Furthermore, the distance from the belt makes it possible for the camera to detect errors, especially if a person working on the belt's hand is visible in the frame. One object of the invention is to provide an improved monitoring capability for foodstuffs transported on conveyor belts in the field of commercial kitchens and food processing. This task is solved by the characteristics of independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims. A support frame is provided for installation on a conveyor belt in the area of ​​commercial kitchens and food processing, wherein the support frame is formed from two vertical struts and a horizontal strut connecting the two vertical struts in such a way that a U-shape is created, wherein a bracket is provided on a predetermined area of ​​the horizontal strut, which is designed so that a monitoring device can be attached to it, wherein a guide unit is arranged at a predetermined distance from each end area of ​​the vertical struts opposite the horizontal strut, which has a first horizontal support leg arranged on an area of ​​the vertical strut which faces the opposite vertical strut and which, after assembly, extends along a transport direction of the conveyor belt, and which also has a guide means.which is arranged vertically on the first support leg and is attached to the vertical strut, wherein a clamping device is provided at the end regions of the vertical struts, with which the support frame can be detachably clamped to a body of the conveyor belt. In one embodiment, the clamping device is attached to the vertical strut at a first area and has a countersunk screw at a second area, which is arranged in such a way that, after assembly, it clamps the first support leg to the body of the conveyor belt. In one embodiment, the support frame further comprises an intervention protection bridge formed as a frame having opposing transverse parts and opposing side parts, wherein the side parts are attached to the guide means in such a way that the intervention protection bridge encloses a monitoring area of ​​a monitoring device, wherein the side parts rest on and are attached to the guide means. In one embodiment, the opposing cross parts are provided to have a height chosen such that, after assembly on the conveyor belt, a predetermined distance is maintained between the cross parts and the conveyor belt. In one version, the intervention protection bridge is provided to be detachably attached to the guide elements. In one embodiment, the intervention protection bridge is designed to be four-part, consisting of two side parts and two cross parts, which are detachably connected to each other. In one embodiment, the guide means are bent at a predetermined angle outwards at an end area which, after assembly, points towards the inlet of the conveyor belt. In one embodiment, the support frame further comprises a second horizontal strut which is arranged at the end regions of the vertical struts and connects them together, wherein the countersunk screw of the clamping device clamps the second horizontal strut to an underside of the body of the conveyor belt after assembly, so that the latter is clamped between the second horizontal strut and the first horizontal support leg. Furthermore, a system consisting of at least one support frame and a conveyor belt is provided, wherein the at least one support frame is detachably attached to a body of the conveyor belt by means of the clamping device, and wherein the conveyor belt has a transport surface on which Gastronorm parts are transported from an inlet to an outlet, and wherein the support frame is attached to the body in such a way that the first support leg rests on a top surface of the body of the conveyor belt without hindering the transport of the Gastronorm parts. Furthermore, a system consisting of at least one support frame and a conveyor belt is provided, wherein the at least one support frame is detachably attached to the conveyor belt by means of the clamping device, wherein, in the case that the conveyor belt is formed as a belt, an insert element formed as a ramp is also provided, which is arranged below the belt and at an inlet or an inlet and an outlet of the intervention protection bridge in such a way that the belt is guided ramp-like to above the first support leg or to above the first support leg and to below the first support leg. In one embodiment, at least two support frames are detachably attached to the conveyor belt by means of the clamping device, the system further comprising at least one upper connecting element that mechanically connects the at least two support frames to each other, and at least one lower connecting element that serves as a section boundary, wherein, in the case that two upper connecting elements are provided, these are arranged parallel to each other and on outer areas of the conveyor belt such that they are each attached to the vertical struts, or wherein, in the case that a single upper connecting element is provided, it is arranged in an area central with respect to the transverse direction of the conveyor belt such that it is attached to the horizontal strut.and wherein the at least one lower connecting element is arranged at the level of the transport surface and divides the area between the support frames into defined working areas. In one embodiment, a lower connecting element is provided on both outer sections of the conveyor belt. In another embodiment, at least one additional monitoring device is arranged on the upper connecting element(s). In yet another embodiment, the system also includes a communication interface configured to transmit work instructions to at least one actor located on the conveyor belt by recording an order at the conveyor belt inlet, generating a work order, and transmitting it to the responsible actor. In yet another embodiment, the communication interface is configured as a screen or smart glasses to provide the work order to a person, or as a robot interface to provide the work order to a robot. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in any combination in a variant of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a support frame with an access protection bridge according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows a schematic front view of a support frame mounted on a conveyor belt according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the support frame shown in Fig. 2, mounted on a conveyor belt. Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of the support frame shown in Figs. 2 and 3, mounted on a conveyor belt. Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of a monitoring line according to a further embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 shows a schematic oblique side view of the monitoring line shown in Fig. 5 according to a first embodiment.Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a part of a conveyor belt with an insert element according to a further embodiment of the invention. In the following figure descriptions, identical elements or functions are marked with the same reference symbols. Monitoring systems 100 for monitoring food transported on conveyor belts in the commercial kitchen and food processing sector essentially comprise a monitoring device 1, which captures the food using image processing and further processes the images accordingly, enabling, for example, quality control. Such monitoring devices 1 are already known and include camera, audio, sensor, robotics, and lighting systems. At least the image processing device is arranged in a housing 10, which, as mentioned above, is attached to a fixed frame or ceiling in current applications using appropriate fastening means. Since the mounting options have several disadvantages, as described above, a support frame 2 for mounting the monitoring device 1 is proposed. The invention thus provides a support frame 2 for mounting on a conveyor belt 200 in the field of commercial kitchens and food processing, and it can be used with both fixed and movable conveyor belts 200 without altering their construction. The support frame 2 is therefore an attachment to a conveyor belt 200. Conveyor belts 200 usable for the invention have a frame 201 on which a body 202 is located. The body 202 is formed as a flat surface, which serves as a transport surface 203 for conveying food from an inlet E to an outlet A of the conveyor belt 200. The food is located in or on a Gastronorm container such as a tray, a plate, or a bowl. Conveyance can be effected by known means. The conveyor belt 200 can therefore be formed as a belt, or the conveyance can be effected by means of a chain or a round belt. In any case, Gastronorm containers are transported from an inlet E to an outlet A by means of these means. The conveyor belt 200 can be configured as a food distribution, return, and portioning conveyor belt.The width of the conveyor belt 200 is irrelevant for the proposed support frame 2, as its width and height can be adapted to the conveyor belt 200, as can be seen from the following description. The support frame 2 comprises a substantially U-shaped frame, preferably made of stainless steel. It has integrated guide rails and, optionally, a modular quick-connect system for a safety guard 3. The support frame 2 allows existing food distribution, return, and portioning systems (whose conveyor belts 200) to be retrofitted without any structural modifications to the conveyor belt 200. It is compatible with Gastronorm parts (i.e., 500–1500 mm wide) and can be easily assembled and disassembled without damaging the conveyor belt 200. A monitoring device 1 can be arranged on the support frame 2 such that its monitoring area covers a predetermined portion of the transport surface 203, enabling the monitoring of food products transported on the transport surface 203 of the conveyor belt 200. The exact construction of the support frame 2 is described below with reference to the details shown in the figures. The support frame has several main components: 1. A U-shaped frame (struts 20-, 21), 2. a positioning system for gastronorm parts transported on the transport surface 203, 3. a modular fastening system (24.1; 24.2; 22) for the frame, 4. an optional multi-part safety bridge 3, 5. brackets 23, in particular for the monitoring device 1. The support frame 2 has one horizontal and two vertical struts 20, 21, which are connected to each other such that each vertical strut 21 is attached to one end of the horizontal strut 20, e.g., welded there, so that a U-shape is formed, as can be seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The support frame 2 is detachably mounted to the body 202 of a conveyor belt 200 such that the open part of the U points towards the transport surface 203. The support frame 2 is attached to a conveyor belt 200 by clamping the vertical struts 21 to an outer edge of the horizontal body 202 of the conveyor belt 200, which serves as the transport surface 203 for transporting the food, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 to 4. The clamping devices provide elastic pressure without permanent deformation of the body 202. For this purpose, a support leg 24.1 (parallel to the transport surface 203) is attached to each vertical strut 21, preferably welded on, pointing towards the other vertical strut 21 and having a length sufficient to rest on the transport surface 203 of the conveyor belt 200. The support leg 24.Advantageously, the support bracket 1 is formed as an L-shaped support angle, the first (long) section of which is attached to the vertical strut 21 (towards the floor), and the second part of which rests on the body 202 (the transport surface 203) of the conveyor belt 200, but without obstructing the transport. Thus, a gap A1 exists between the support leg 24.1 and the Gastronorm items such as trays, plates, and bowls transported on the transport surface 203. This support leg 24.1 serves both to stabilize the support frame 2 and as the first clamping element of the clamping device on each side. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a second support leg 24.2 (parallel to the transport surface 203 and the support leg 24.1) is provided for each vertical strut 21. This second leg is located at one end of the vertical strut 21 and points towards the other strut 21. It has a length of and is movably arranged on the vertical strut 21 such that it can be moved vertically and towards the horizontal strut 20, allowing the body 202 of the conveyor belt 200 to be clamped between the two support legs 24.1 and 24.2. The second support leg 24.2 can, for example, be arranged in a guide rail provided in the vertical strut 21 and be guided vertically. Advantageously, the path is relatively short so that the vertical rail 21 protrudes as little as possible towards the floor. Naturally, the clamping devices consisting of two support legs 24.2 are provided on both sides of the conveyor belt 200.The second support leg 24.2 is advantageously fixed in a manner similar to a screw clamp, for example by means of a screw and a clamping support arranged on it. In a preferred embodiment, a support leg 24.1 is also attached to each vertical strut 21, preferably welded on, pointing towards the other vertical strut 21 and having a length sufficient to rest on the conveyor belt 200. Additionally, a further horizontal strut 22 is provided, serving as a crossbeam and thus having a length such that, after the support frame 2 is mounted on the conveyor belt 200, it is connected at both ends to the two vertical struts 21 below the body 202 of the conveyor belt and abutting its underside, e.g., by means of screws, so that the U-shape is closed and a rectangular frame is formed, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Advantageously, the vertical struts 21 are designed such that the second horizontal strut 22 can be attached to one underside (a lower end) of them, as indicated in Fig. 2.Thus, nothing protrudes towards the ground in which a person could become entangled. This second horizontal strut 22 serves to stabilize the support frame 2 against slipping or tilting. Furthermore, this second horizontal strut 22 serves as a second support leg 24.2 and thus a second clamping element, since it is attached flush to the underside of the conveyor belt 200, i.e., in contact with it, and thus acts as a counterpart to the upper support leg 24.1. The horizontal strut 22 or the second support legs 24.2 are attached to the vertical struts 21 by means of one or more screws. The clamping is then effected in the manner of a screw clamp as a clamping device, i.e. with a countersunk screw which clamps the horizontal strut 22 to the underside of the conveyor belt 200 (its body 202). Furthermore, the length of the support leg 24.1 is selected such that it serves as a support for a guide element 25, which is arranged vertically to the transport surface 203 of the conveyor belt 200 and the support leg 24.1. Thus, a guide element 25 is provided on each side of the conveyor belt 200, which, together with the first support leg 24.1, serves as a guide unit for gastronorm parts transported on the conveyor belt 200. The guide element 25 is detachably attached to the vertical strut 21, e.g., by means of screws, so that it can be removed and cleaned as needed. Its length L25 (along the conveyor belt 200, i.e., in the X-direction) advantageously corresponds to the length L24 of the support leg 24.1. Each guide element 25 is formed as a flat component, like the support leg 24.1, 24.2, and forms an L-shape with the associated support leg 24.1, 24.2.In order to provide good guidance, i.e. positioning of the gastronorm parts transported on the transport surface 203, the guide means 25 and the first support leg 24.1 are attached to the vertical strut 21 in such a way that half or more of their length L24; L25 is located on the side of the vertical strut 21 which points towards the inlet E of the conveyor belt 200. The guide elements 25 are divided into three functional areas. A first area serves as the infeed area Ez and can have a length of approximately 80 mm when trays are being transported. Furthermore, the end 25.1 of the guide element 25 located in this area, i.e., the end pointing towards the inlet E, is bent outwards at a predetermined angle, e.g., approximately 170°, as indicated in Fig. 4. This facilitates the insertion of the Gastronorm parts into the guide element 25, as it creates a kind of funnel opening. A divergence tunnel is also formed by an outer passage width (in the Y direction) in the infeed area Ez, which narrows after a certain length into an inner passage width (in the Y direction). This narrowing of the passage width thus laterally centers the Gastronorm parts transported on the transport surface 203. Furthermore, a specified height H25 is required.The guide element 25 is provided in the intake area Ez (over a predetermined length), which provides a smooth guide transition and threshold reduction. The height H25.1 in the first intake area Ez can be approximately 50 mm. The second functional area is a transition zone between intake area Ez and discharge area Az, in which the height H25.1 of the guide element 25 is increased, advantageously in a ramp-like manner. The highest height H25.2 is reached at the vertical strut 21. Furthermore, the guide element 25 has bearing points in this transition zone for receiving an optional, subsequently described, safety guard 3. The third functional area is a discharge area Az, in which the height H25.2 of the guide element 25 drops back to the original height H25.1 in the first functional area (intake area Ez). The highest height H25.2 is mainly needed to enable a more stable installation on the vertical die 21, while still saving material. In an optional, but preferred, embodiment, a protective barrier 3 is provided. This barrier is multi-part, advantageously consisting of four parts. The protective barrier 3 encloses the detection range of the image acquisition device of the monitoring device 1, which is arranged on the horizontal strut 22, and prevents accidental access by personnel to the detection range (scan area), while the passage of transport units (Gastronorm parts) is unimpeded. This means that the circumference of the protective barrier 3 corresponds to the detection range of the monitoring device 1. The safety guard 3 is designed as an open frame, meaning it only has two side panels 30 and two cross panels 31, which are made, for example, of food-grade sheet metal. The material used is, for example, stainless steel. The function of the side panels 30 is to enclose the detection area laterally and to provide support points for the cross panels 31. The side panels 30 are identical, which reduces manufacturing costs. The cross members 31 are arranged in the infeed area Ez and the outfeed area Az of the detection area and perpendicular to the transport direction T, thus crossing the transport surface 203. They are mechanically connected at their ends to the end areas of the side members 30, advantageously by means of a plug-in system. Advantageously, they end flush with the top surface of the side members 30. The cross members 31 have a height H31, which is selected such that a predetermined minimum distance to the top surface of the transport surface 203 remains, since the gastronorm containers with food items arranged on or in them must enter the detection area below the cross members 31. Therefore, the predetermined distance is slightly greater than the minimum distance. This ensures a distance to the maximum height of the gastronorm containers 00 with food items arranged on or in them, so that no contact between the food items or the gastronorm containers and the cross members 31 is possible.The minimum distance between the lower edge of the cross member 31 and the transport surface 203 depends on the type of transport (belt, belt, chain), the Gastronorm containers used, and the foodstuffs, and is known to the user or specified by them. The actual (specified) distance is chosen so that, as far as possible, no manual intervention is possible, whereby an additional distance of a few millimeters above the minimum distance is sufficient. Thus, a distance of approximately 120–170 mm between the transport surface 203 and the lower edge of the cross members 31 is generally required. The height of the cross members 30 and the guide elements 25 must therefore be selected such that the specified distance to the conveyor belt 200 is maintained. The cross members 30 are also manufactured as identical parts, which reduces production costs. Furthermore, the lower contour of the side members 30 is adapted to the upper contour of the guide elements 25, as shown in Fig. 1.This allows them to be mounted flush against each other, creating a stable connection and pinch protection. They are fastened using snap-on clips 32. In the case of conveyor belts 200 formed as belts 204, an insert element 9 is provided, which is shaped like a ramp. This insert element 9 is inserted below the conveyor belt on which the gastronorm parts are transported, such that a ramp is created at the infeed area Ez in front of the first support leg 24.1, which raises the conveyor belt 204 ramp-like to the height of the first support leg 24.1, as shown in Fig. 7. This prevents the gastronorm parts from jamming at the edge of the first support leg 24.1. Advantageously, such an insert element 9 is also provided at the discharge area Az after the safety guard 3 (not shown), so that the gastronorm parts do not have to pass over an edge to be conveyed further. Advantageously, the insert element 9 has a width that corresponds at least approximately to the width of the conveyor belt 200.In any case, it must have a width that at least partially overlaps the two first support legs 24.1. This would then require two individual insert elements 9. Alternatively, individual insert elements 9 can be provided, each arranged on one of the first support legs 24.1. This would then require four individual insert elements 9. In a further embodiment, the insert element 9 is formed in one piece such that it provides both ramps. For this purpose, the central area connecting the two ramps is narrower, as it must be guided between the two first support legs 24.1. The intervention protection bridge 3 provides a four-sided enclosure of the scan area of ​​the monitoring device 1, thus preventing accidental intervention by personnel. The horizontal strut 20 has a bracket 23 to which the housing 10 of the monitoring device 1 can be attached. This bracket 23 is advantageously arranged centrally in the horizontal strut 20 and is located within the U-shape, thus projecting towards the transport surface 203. This allows the image acquisition device of the monitoring device 1 to be mounted so that it faces the transport surface 203. The distance of the image acquisition device to the transport surface 203 is predetermined by the person skilled in the art. The length of the vertical struts 21 (both have the same length) is therefore also predetermined. Furthermore, additional brackets (not shown) can be provided on the vertical struts 21 to hold components of the monitoring system 100, e.g., a monitor. Struts 20, 21, and 22 are particularly advantageous when formed as square tubes, as these are easy to work with, stable, and exhibit minimal vibration. Cables can be routed within the hollow space of the square tubes. The second horizontal strut 22 can also be open on one side, in which case cable routing can also be provided within strut 22. The support frame 2 and the protective bridge 3 are made of a food-grade material, preferably stainless steel, and feature advantageously rounded corners and edges. This reduces the risk of injury and also minimizes dirt accumulation. Integrated or integrable cable guides in the struts 20-22 protect the cabling. The assembly principle for the support frame 2 is as follows: 1. Vertical and horizontal struts 20, 21 are assembled to form the U-shaped support frame 2; 2. The support frame 2 is positioned above the conveyor belt 200 so that it laterally surrounds the conveyor belt 200; 3. The clamping devices are actuated so that both support legs 24.1, 24.2, or the support leg 24.1 and the second horizontal strut 22, clamp the body 202 of the conveyor belt 200. Pre-fixation using vertical and lateral support screws is possible. The described support frame 2 is therefore detachably attached and thus reusable and retrofittable. Further advantages include the fact that no drill holes are required in the body 202 of the conveyor belt 200, which also prevents any weakening of the conveyor belt 200's structure. The elastic clamping provided by the clamp connection ensures vibration and shock damping. The insertion of buffer elements (preferably made of elastic plastic) provides vibration decoupling, meaning that vibrations are transmitted less to the support frame 2 and thus to the monitoring device 1. The monitoring system is particularly advantageous for moving conveyor belts 200, as it is attached to the body 202 and is therefore always in the same place on the conveyor belt 200, even when it is moved. It is also advantageously designed so that it can be disassembled into individual parts that fit into a (commercial) dishwasher. In particular, the guide elements 25 and the safety guard 3, but also the insert element 9, can be easily disassembled into individual parts. The weight of the housing 10 of the monitoring device 1 with the image acquisition system is distributed by the U-shaped frame geometry via the support legs 24.1 onto the body 202 of the conveyor belt 200. Elastic countersunk screws enable vibration damping and minimal sagging of the upper strut 20. The use of square tubes reduces twisting and torsion. The support frame 2 with its guides ensures that each Gastronorm container with food items arranged on or within it reaches the image capture device at the same height and lateral position (due to the guide elements 25). This allows for consistent image quality and recognition accuracy, and enables reproducible measurements. In another version, additional brackets can be provided on the upper horizontal strut 20, for example to hold a robot arm. In a further embodiment, at least two support frames 2a, 2b are provided for a monitoring line along a conveyor belt 200 and are connected to form an integrated overall system via at least one upper connecting element 4 and at least one lower connecting element 5 (as a lateral guide), as indicated in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the first support frame 2a at the starting point serves for order recording: The monitoring device 1, arranged on the horizontal strut 20, detects the gastronorm parts transported on the transport surface 203 with food items arranged on or in them using image-based technology and generates an electronic work order from this. The second support frame 2b at the end point serves for end-of-line belt monitoring. The monitoring device 1, arranged on the horizontal strut 20 of the second support frame 2b, detects the fully loaded gastronorm parts and compares the actual state with the target state of the work order.Optionally, a further monitoring device 1 can be provided between the two support frames 2a, 2b, which is arranged on an additional horizontal strut 22.1. The upper connecting element(s) 4 serve as a stabilizing element and increase the overall rigidity of the system (monitoring line) by mechanically coupling the support frames 2a, 2b. Furthermore, they act as mounting brackets, thus serving as receptacles for additional mounting devices 23 for supplementary monitoring equipment 1, camera systems, lighting systems, or sensors along the conveyor belt 200, or for mounting robot arms, grippers, or humanoid robot systems. Like the struts 20, 21, they can be formed from a square tube. The upper connecting element(s) 4 can also have a cavity, for example, to guide cables. The upper connecting element(s) 4 are detachably attached to the horizontal struts 20 of the support frames 2a, 2b, advantageously by means of screw connections or plug connections. The attachment is such that the upper connecting element(s) 4 can be disassembled into individual parts. Advantageously, two parallel upper connecting elements 4 are provided, which are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction on outer areas (left and right) of the conveyor belt 200 and connect the vertical struts 21 of the support frames 2a, 2b to each other (not shown). In another embodiment, a single upper connecting element 4 is arranged centrally above the transport surface 203 and connected to the horizontal struts 20 of the support frames 2a, 2b, as shown in the oblique side view shown in Fig. 6. The lower connecting element(s) 5 serve as section dividers. A connecting element 5, serving as a section divider, is provided between the support frames 2a and 2b at the level of the transport surface 203 and on at least one side of the conveyor belt 200. The lower connecting element(s) 5 are attached to the body, e.g., by means of support frames 34 arranged on each side of the conveyor belt 203, which, like the support frames 2a and 2b, are attached to the body 202. The lower connecting element(s) 5 divide the area between the starting point (support frame 2a) and the end point (support frame 2b) into defined working areas 6.1, 6.2, 6.3. Each section boundary comprises pluggable side panels 5.1 and cross connections 5.2. The pluggable side panels 5.1 are formed as vertical elements made of stainless steel or food-grade plastic, which are arranged laterally to the conveyor belt 200. The side panels 5.1 have plug connections on their underside, which are inserted into corresponding receptacles on the vertical struts 21 of the support frames 2a, 2b or at intermediate support points. In Figs. 5 and 6, two different heights are shown for the side panels 5.1, with the height of the side panels 5.1 in working areas 6.1 and 6.2 being greater than the height of the side panels 5.1 in working area 6.3 and the area adjoining it. The cross connections 5.2 are formed as horizontal elements, which are connected to the side panels 5.1 on both sides and run transversely to the transport direction T above the conveyor belt 200. The cross connections 5.2 are advantageously formed as food-grade sheets or profiles and positioned in such a way that the passage of the Gastronorm parts on the transport surface 203 is not obstructed. They have a specified minimum distance to the transport surface 203 according to the safety barrier 3. The side panels 5.1 and cross connections 5.2 can be assembled and disassembled without tools using a plug-in system, analogous to the quick-connect system of the safety bridge 3. The plug-in system allows for variable configuration of the work areas 6. The section boundaries can be positioned at different intervals along the conveyor belt 200, so that the size and number of work areas 6 can be adapted to the respective requirements. The section boundaries fulfill the following functions: • Spatial separation of work areas 6: Clear physical separation between different activity areas along the conveyor belt 200. Each work area 6 is assigned to a defined work step (e.g., work area 6.1: loading appetizers; work area 6.2: loading main courses; work area 6.3: loading desserts / drinks). • Safety barrier for human-robot collaboration: The section boundaries form physical barriers between the work areas 6, facilitating safe collaboration between human personnel and robotic systems (robot arms, humanoid robots). • Activity communication: The visual and physical separation makes it clear to each actor (human or robot) which task is to be performed in which work area 6. This facilitates coordination and reduces errors. The area between the first support frame 2a (starting point) and the second support frame 2b (endpoint) is subdivided by the section boundaries into at least two, preferably three or more, work areas 6. Each work area 6 has: • a defined length along the conveyor belt 200, • access from at least one side of the conveyor belt 200 for the assigned actuator, • optionally a communication interface. Each work area 6 is assigned at least one actor. An actor can be: • Human personnel: One or more people who perform tasks manually in work area 6 (e.g., portioning, garnishing, filling Gastronorm containers). The person receives work instructions via a communication interface. • Robot arm: A robot arm with a gripper or tool, attached to the upper connecting element 4 or to a support frame 2a, 2b, which performs automated tasks in work area 6 (e.g., portioning, placing, dosing). The robot arm receives work orders via a data transmission interface. • Humanoid robot: A humanoid robot positioned next to the conveyor belt 200, which performs tasks in work area 6 that correspond to those of human personnel. The humanoid robot receives work orders via a data transmission interface. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 (side view) and 6 (oblique view), two support frames 2a, 2b are provided, which are hereinafter referred to as the first support frame 2a (at the inlet E of the conveyor belt 200, hereinafter referred to as the "starting point") and the second support frame 2b (at the outlet A of the conveyor belt 200, hereinafter referred to as the "end point"). Each support frame 2a, 2b has the construction already described. In addition, both support frames 2a, 2b are mechanically connected to each other via upper connecting elements 4 and lower connecting elements 5. The horizontal struts 20 and the connecting elements 4, 5, together with the support frames 2a, 2b and the conveyor belt 200, form an integrated monitoring and automation system. In the illustrated design, the lower connecting elements 5 form several work areas 6.1, 6.2, 6.3. It is evident that the number of work areas 6, the type of actors and the assigned activities are freely configurable and can be adapted to the specific requirements of the commercial kitchen. To meet safety requirements in a mixed operation, i.e., where humans and robots work on the conveyor belt 200, additional sensory protective devices (light curtains, laser scanners) can also be provided between section boundaries to ensure the safety monitoring of the work areas 6. The aforementioned communication interfaces serve to transmit the work orders recorded at the starting point (carrier frame 2a) to the actors in the respective work areas 6. Order recording and work order generation (starting point) takes place at the starting point, where the monitoring device 1 on the first carrier frame 2a detects the gastronorm parts arriving on the transport surface 203. The image processing unit of the monitoring device 1 uses AI-based image processing to recognize the type of gastronorm part (tray, plate, bowl), any order information on it (e.g., barcode, patient card, digital identification), and the current state of the gastronorm part (empty, partially filled, type of food present). From this information, the monitoring system 100 generates an electronic work order containing sub-orders assigned to the respective work areas 6 along the conveyor belt 200. Work orders are transmitted to human personnel via the following communication interfaces: • Screens: Monitors or displays arranged on the vertical or horizontal struts 21, 20 of the support frames 2a, 2b or the upper connecting elements 4, which visually represent the work order (e.g., assembly instructions with image, portion size, patient name, special diet instructions). • Smart glasses: Augmented reality glasses worn on the head, which display the work order in the employee's field of vision. Data transmission is wireless (WLAN, Bluetooth) via the monitoring system 100. Work orders are transmitted to robot systems (robot arms, humanoid robots) via data transmission interfaces: • Wired interface: Ethernet / PoE cable, routed through the hollow profiles of the upper connecting elements 4 and struts 20, 21, 22, • Wireless interface: WLAN or industrial radio protocols, • Protocols: Standardized industrial protocols (e.g. OPC UA, ROS, MQTT) or manufacturer-specific interfaces. The data transmission interface transmits the work order to the robot system, including: • the type and quantity of food to be placed, • the target position on the Gastronorm part, • the temporal sequence (order of loading), • quality parameters (e.g. minimum / maximum quantity). Each operator (human or robot) can transmit feedback to monitoring system 100 (e.g., "Work step completed," "Ingredient not available," "Error message"). This feedback is processed centrally in monitoring system 100 to track the progress of the assembly process along conveyor belt 200 and, if necessary, to initiate corrective actions. At the endpoint, the monitoring device 1 on the second support frame 2b detects the fully assembled Gastronorm containers and performs a final inspection. The final inspection includes: • Completeness check: Comparison of the actual state (image capture) with the target state (work order). Detection of missing, incorrect, or additional food items. • Quality check: Visual inspection of portion size, arrangement, and presentation of the food items using AI-based image processing. • Documentation: Automatic photo documentation of each Gastronorm container with timestamp, order number, and inspection result. This documentation serves for traceability and compliance with regulatory requirements. • Release or rejection: If the inspection is passed, the Gastronorm container is released for delivery. In case of deviations, an error message is generated, and rework may be initiated. If a deviation is detected during the end-of-line inspection, the monitoring system 100 can: • issue a visual and / or acoustic warning, • notify the affected work area 6 via the communication interface, • stop the transport process or mark the affected Gastronorm part, • document the process in the log. The described support frame 2 can be installed on conveyor belts 200, which transport foodstuffs located on or in Gastronorm containers in the area of ​​commercial kitchens and food processing. The foodstuffs can be individual items or meal portions, i.e., several foodstuffs combined in predetermined quantities, as is common in canteens, etc. The combination of support frame 2 and monitoring system 100 can be advantageously used in large kitchens, e.g. in hospitals, schools, universities, company canteens, retirement homes, care facilities, but also in event catering, hotel catering, the military or airport catering. Reference symbol list 200 Conveyor belt 201 Frame 202 Body 203 Transport surface 204 Belt 100 Monitoring system 1 Monitoring device 10 Housing 2; 2a, 2b Support frame 20 horizontal strut 21 vertical strut 22 horizontal strut 23 bracket 24.1 first support leg 24.2 second support leg L24 length 24.1 25 guide element 25.1 end of guide element L25 length 25 H25.1 height 25 at Ez / Az H25.2 height 25 center 3 safety bridge 30 side parts 31 cross parts H31 height 31 32 clip-on clamps 34 support frames 4 upper connecting element 5 lower connecting element (section demarcation) 5.1 side parts 5.2 cross connections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 working areas 9 insert element E inlet Ez feed-in area A outlet Az output area T transport direction

Claims

Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) for arrangement on a conveyor belt (200) in the area of ​​commercial kitchen and food processing,- wherein the support frame (2; 2a, 2b) is formed from two vertical struts (21) and a horizontal strut (20) connecting the two vertical struts (21) in such a way that a U-shape is formed,- wherein a bracket (23) is provided on a predetermined area of ​​the horizontal strut (20), which is designed so that a monitoring device (1) can be attached to it,- wherein a guide unit is arranged at a predetermined distance to each end area of ​​the vertical struts (21) opposite the horizontal strut (20), which has a first horizontal support leg (24).1) has a section of the vertical strut (21) which is arranged on a section of the vertical strut (21) which faces the opposite vertical strut (21) and which, after assembly, extends along a transport direction (T) of the conveyor belt (200), and which also has a guide means (25) which is arranged perpendicularly on the first support leg (24.1) and is attached to the vertical strut (21), - wherein a clamping device is provided at the end sections of the vertical struts (21) with which the support frame (2; 2a, 2b) can be detachably clamped to a body (202) of the conveyor belt (200). Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device is attached at a first area to the vertical strut (21) and has at a second area a countersunk screw which is arranged such that, after assembly, it clamps the first support leg (24.1) to the body (202) of the conveyor belt (200). Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an intervention protection bridge (3) formed as a frame having opposing transverse parts (31) and opposing side parts (30), wherein the side parts (30) are attached to the guide means (25) in such a way that the intervention protection bridge (3) encloses a monitoring area of ​​a monitoring device (1), wherein the side parts (30) rest on and are attached to the guide means (25). Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to claim 3, wherein the opposing transverse parts (31) have a height (H31) which is selected such that, after assembly on the conveyor belt (200), a predetermined distance is maintained between the transverse parts (31) and the conveyor belt (200). Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the intervention protection bridge (3) is detachably attached to the guide means (25). Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the intervention protection bridge (3) is formed in four parts from two side parts (30) and two transverse parts (31) which are detachably connected to each other. Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means (25) is bent at a predetermined angle outside the conveyor belt (200) at an end region thereof which, after assembly, points towards the inlet (E) of the conveyor belt (200). Support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second horizontal strut (22) which is arranged at end regions of the vertical struts (21) and connects them together, wherein the countersunk screw of the clamping device clamps the second horizontal strut (22) to an underside of the body (202) of the conveyor belt (200) after assembly, so that the latter is clamped between the second horizontal strut (22) and the first horizontal support leg (24.1). System comprising at least one support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to one of the preceding claims and a conveyor belt (200), wherein the at least one support frame (2; 2a, 2b) is detachably attached to a body (202) of the conveyor belt (200) by means of the clamping device, and wherein the conveyor belt (200) has a transport surface (203) on which Gastronorm parts are transported from an inlet (E) to an outlet (A), and wherein the support frame (2; 2a, 2b) is attached to the body in such a way that the first support leg (24.1) rests on an upper surface of the body (202) of the conveyor belt (200) without hindering the transport of the Gastronorm parts. System comprising at least one support frame (2; 2a, 2b) according to one of claims 3 to 8 and a conveyor belt (200), wherein the at least one support frame (2; 2a, 2b) is detachably attached to the conveyor belt (200) by means of the clamping device, wherein, in the case that the conveyor belt (200) is formed as a webbing belt (204), a ramp-shaped insert element (9) is further provided, which is arranged below the webbing belt (204) and at an inlet or an inlet and an outlet of the guard bridge (3) such that the webbing belt (204) is guided ramp-like to above the first support leg (24.1) or to above the first support leg (24.1) and below the first support leg (24.1). System according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein at least two support frames (2; 2a, 2b) are detachably attached to the conveyor belt (200) by means of the clamping device on the conveyor belt (200), wherein the system further comprises at least one upper connecting element (4) which connects the at least two support frames (2;2a, 2b) mechanically connects to each other, and has at least one lower connecting element (5) which serves as a section boundary, - wherein, in the case that two upper connecting elements (4) are provided, these are arranged parallel to each other and on outer areas of the conveyor belt (200) such that they are each attached to the vertical struts (21), or - wherein, in the case that a single upper connecting element (4) is provided, this is arranged in an area central with respect to the transverse direction of the conveyor belt (200) such that it is attached to the horizontal strut (20), and - wherein the at least one lower connecting element (5) is arranged at the level of the transport surface (203) and divides the area between the support frames (2a, 2b) into defined working areas (6.1, 6.2, 6.3). System according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a lower connecting element (5) is provided on both outer areas of the conveyor belt (200). System according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least one further monitoring device is arranged on the upper connecting element(s) (4). System according to one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising a communication interface configured such that it transmits work instructions to at least one actor located on the conveyor belt (200) by recording an order at the inlet of the conveyor belt (200), generating a work order and transmitting it to the responsible actor. System according to claim 14, wherein the communication interface is formed as a screen or as smart glasses for providing the work order to a human or as a robot interface for providing the work order to a robot.

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