Module for keeping and dispensing portioned goods

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (1) and a device for keeping and dispensing portioned goods, in particular foods, comprising a storage container (14) for a good, a separation unit (15) for partial quantities of the good, an inlet (6) for a product support (13) and an outlet (7) for the product support (13). According to the invention, a transport element (3) is arranged between the inlet (6) and outlet (7), on which transport element a product support (13) can be transported into the module (1) in a predefined x-direction, supported in the module (1) in a stationary manner and transported out of the module (1) in the x-direction, and wherein the module (1) can be supported in a displaceable manner on an outer frame (4) between a working position and a maintenance position.

Description

[0001] Module for storing and dispensing portioned goods

[0002] The invention relates to a module for storing and dispensing portioned goods, in particular foodstuffs, with a storage container for a product, with a separation unit for partial quantities of the product, with an input for a product and an output for the product.

[0003] In the field of mechanical production of assembled foods and dishes such as pizzas, cakes, baguettes, and the like, devices are known that semi-automatically place one or more ingredients onto a pre-product from above and repeat these steps automatically. Satisfactory systems for the fully automated and thus efficient production of assembled dishes do not currently exist.

[0004] WO 2020 / 227723 A1 shows a sandwich machine in which bread pieces are placed and topped in an endless chain of storage tubes. Each sandwich ingredient must be refilled separately.

[0005] EP 3504976 A1 discloses a device for dispensing toppings for bakery products. These toppings are stored in standardized storage containers above a conveyor belt and, when needed, cut and dropped over a pre-product. Each ingredient must be refilled, checked, and the fill level in the storage monitored separately.

[0006] The invention aims to create a module as mentioned above that allows for more efficient automated processes in the production of assembled products, easier monitoring of the operating status, more cost-effective maintenance, easier compliance with hygiene requirements, and reduced manufacturing costs for the assembled product and the machine. The solution should be easy to operate and less prone to failure.

[0007] The module according to the invention achieves these advantages in that a transport element is arranged between the input and output, on which transport element a product base can be transported into the module in a predetermined x-direction, stored in the module at rest and transported out of the module in the x-direction and wherein the module can be displaceably stored on an outer frame between a working position and a maintenance position.

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the module has at least one pull-out rail on which it is mounted for sliding movement. This allows it to be easily yet mechanically robustly removed from the frame for maintenance or cleaning, for example.

[0009] In a further embodiment, a support roller is arranged on the input side and / or output side next to the transport element. The support roller's circumference touches the transport plane of the transport element and its axis is perpendicular to the x-direction. This prevents transported goods from tipping into a gap during transfer or discharge onto an adjacent conveyor belt.

[0010] It is also planned that the module can be mounted on an external frame in such a way that it can be moved between the working position and the maintenance position in a specified y-direction, which is perpendicular to the x-direction. This allows any maintenance work to be carried out at the greatest possible distance from the hygienically and mechanically sensitive production area.

[0011] It has proven advantageous for the module to have an outer side, viewed in the y-direction, which is defined as the operator side. At least one opening for replacing the at least one storage container is provided on the operator side, with the opening, in particular, comprising a flap. This makes it easier to refill or replace the storage containers.

[0012] Likewise, the module may include at least one electrical connector that can be coupled to at least one mating electrical connector on an outer frame when the module is in the working position. This enables safer operation and maintenance.

[0013] One embodiment of the invention includes a compressed air connection that can be coupled to a mating connection on a frame when the module is in the working position. This allows a module to be equipped with a greater number of process options.

[0014] It is also intended that the module extends in a z-direction, which is perpendicular to the x- and y-directions and oriented along the direction of gravity, thus defining a top and a bottom of the module. This allows a module, and thus also a device with one or more modules, to be designed narrowly and space-savingly in the x-direction.

[0015] In a variation of the above, it is provided that the at least one electrical connection and / or the compressed air connection is / are arranged above the transport element. This eliminates disruptions to the electrical operation caused by falling food.

[0016] It has been shown to be advantageous that the module has an electronic control system at least for carrying out and monitoring the transport of a product support with, if applicable, a preliminary product, the removal and, if applicable, the separation of the goods as well as the fill level of the storage container(s), as this increases operational reliability.

[0017] Likewise, the module can have at least two storage containers for two different types of goods, from which, depending on the electronic control, the release of one type of goods can be selected alternatively in order to increase the variety of products that can be manufactured.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention comprises one of the following list of devices: a toaster for a portioned food product, a camera for optical quality control of a food product and / or a pre-product on the product shelf, a cooling system for the food product in order to again increase the variety and quality of products that can be produced.

[0019] It has been shown to be advantageous if a device for producing assembled meals is provided, comprising a conveyor belt on which the meal to be assembled is movable in an x-direction, as well as a plurality of food storage containers, each with a separating unit along the conveyor belt, if the device comprises at least one module according to the invention, wherein the transport element(s) of the module(s) is / are a section of the conveyor belt. This also allows a product to be produced efficiently, partially or entirely.

[0020] Likewise, the device may comprise two or more modules arranged directly next to each other and whose transport elements form a continuous section of the conveyor belt in order to minimize susceptibility to disruption during transport.

[0021] Alternatively, the device can comprise two or more modules arranged side by side, whose transport elements form a continuous section of the conveyor belt. A support roller is arranged between adjacent transport elements, the circumference of which touches the transport plane of the transport element and the axis of which is perpendicular to the x-direction. This prevents the transported goods from tipping between two transport elements.

[0022] In one embodiment of the device, the width in the x-direction of at least one module has a predetermined value and the width of at least one further module has twice or another integer multiple of the predetermined value in order to increase the variation of modules with identical connector distribution on the frame.

[0023] Further advantages and developments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings. The claims provide information on the optional nature of individual features. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings. They show:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic oblique view of six modules,

[0025] Fig. 2 and 3 each show a schematic side view of a module,

[0026] Fig. 4 a schematic front view of five modules,

[0027] Fig. 5 is a schematic partial view of a machine with eight modules,

[0028] Fig. 6 two schematic representations of a product transfer and

[0029] Fig. 7 a perspective view of a product handover.

[0030] According to Fig. 1, during normal operation, several modules 1 are located directly next to one another in a frame 4 of a device or a machine and form a production line. For this purpose, a module 1 is basically designed as a cuboid-shaped box arranged in a portrait orientation, which is narrow in the production direction, which is in the x-direction, while it is larger in the y-direction and z-direction in order to create sufficient volume for the storage and delivery of goods onto a product. A module 1 also has a transport element 3, such as a conveyor belt. The transport element 3 can also be a magnetic levitation device, which essentially consists of an electronically controllable magnetic table, on which storage plates together with any transported goods can be moved, stopped, rotated or tilted in a suspended manner. Within the scope of the following non-limiting examples (includingDrawings) the functionality of the transport element 3 is explained using a conveyor belt.

[0031] The transport element 3 is electrically driven and controllable; it extends in the x-direction. The module 1 has an inlet 6 and an outlet 7 at the ends of the transport element 3 for receiving a product and releasing it again after processing. The inlet 6 and outlet 7 are located directly on the outside of the module 1. Outlet 7 of a first module 1 completely overlaps with the inlet 6 of a directly adjacent module 1 when both modules are in the working position. The product can also be a preliminary product that is further processed, supplemented or completed in a process step carried out in the module 1. The product can be processed as such in the module 1, or it can move into and out of the module 1 resting on a product shelf. For the sake of simplicity, the term “product” is always used below.

[0032] In order to enable the modular construction of a machine or a automaton that provides a frame 4, a consistent basic structural design of the outer shell and its connecting elements is required for each module 1, regardless of the functionality installed inside. This means, among other things, that

[0033] • the connector is always in the same place and always has the same shape,

[0034] • the outer shell has a width that is a multiple (1 to n times) of the original shape,

[0035] • the connecting elements between the module and the pull-out device (e.g. rails 2 as shown) are always identical,

[0036] • the elements for product transport between modules 1, such as transport element 3 or input 6 and output 7, are identical. If these conditions are met, then all modules of the same design (not including the functional internals) are flexibly interchangeable.

[0037] A module 1 is mounted on a rail 2, such as an extension rail consisting of an upper rail part 2a and a lower rail part 2b, so that it can be easily and safely extended from the frame 4. In Fig. 1, one of the six modules 1 shown is shown in the extended state, the maintenance position, while the five other modules 1 are in the working position.

[0038] The construction of a rail 2 consisting of an upper rail section 2a and a lower rail section 2b also offers the advantage of pre-installing the sliding mechanism, regardless of its design, and leaving it unchanged during operation of a module 1 and a machine with a frame 4 (apart from expected service work such as regreasing at long intervals). Only the module 1 is inserted or removed from the upper rail section 2a as needed. The lower rail section 2b ideally remains firmly connected to the frame 4 throughout the entire operating life of a machine.

[0039] In the maintenance position, which is assumed when the machine is at a standstill, Module 1 or a part or section thereof can be cleaned, repaired, maintained, refilled, or modified. In the working position, essentially only the narrow front is accessible to an operator. Alternatively, Module 1 can be additionally or exclusively suspended from a rail to achieve the same advantage with greater stability or positioning accuracy, but above all to enable different or better use of the space in the lower area of ​​the interior.

[0040] If several modules 1 are used in a vending machine, the respective transport elements 3 form a common production line on which products or preliminary products can be moved and processed continuously or step by step in the x-direction. Of course, a module 1 can be used individually if it can receive a sufficiently prepared preliminary product at its inlet 6 and expediently deliver the product processed in module 1 to the outlet 7 of module 1. A greater advantage is achieved if several modules 1 are arranged directly adjacent to one another as shown in Fig. 1 and 4, pass the products on to one another and each process them further until a finished or almost finished product, such as an assembled food product or a dish such as a sandwich or a pizza, is created.

[0041] A transport element 3 assigned to a module 1 need not be permanently connected to the module 1 and be movable with it between the working position and the maintenance position. It can be fixed relative to the frame 4 (not shown), wherein, in addition to the input 6 and output 7 of a module 1 for a transported product support 13, a rear opening of the module 1 is also provided so that the module 1 can be moved from the working position away from the remaining transport element 3 toward the maintenance position.

[0042] A module 1 comprises a rigid shell or outer wall, which, to save material, is made of thin sheet metal, thin plastic, mixtures thereof, layered materials, or the like. To enable adjacent transport elements 3 to form a conveyor belt 9, the ends of a transport element 3 are positioned as close as possible to the outer planes of the outer walls of its respective module 1.

[0043] If the transport elements 3 are designed as a magnetic levitation system, they form a production line when lined up and thus also a type of assembly line 9.

[0044] In the working position, adjacent modules 1 are positioned as close as possible to one another in the x-direction, with only a slight slippage (e.g., on the order of a few millimeters) provided for practical reasons, in order to bring the ends of their equally adjacent transport elements 3 close together. This allows them to transfer a product base 13 to one another reliably and without slipping or tipping during a transport event.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 6, it may not be easy from a structural perspective to bring two adjacent transport elements 3 in the working position close enough to one another to ensure that a product base 13 can be transferred safely and reliably. If the distance between the transport elements 3 is too great, there is a risk of the product base 13 (possibly already with its contents) tipping or slipping, as shown in Fig. 6 above. To counteract this, a passive, unbraked support roller 21 (Fig. 6 below and Fig. 7) can be arranged between two adjacent transport elements 3, the circumference of which support roller 21 tangentially touches the transport plane of the transport elements 3 and supports the goods to be transported. Such a roller can be arranged in a module 1 directly next to the transport element 3 of the respective module 1 or between two adjacent modules 1 and directly or indirectly firmly connected to the frame 4.Via an axis 22, which is parallel to the axes of the deflection rollers of the transport element 3, which in this embodiment is present as a conveyor belt, and which is oriented perpendicular to the x-direction as the production direction, the support roller 21 can also be driven electrically, for example, and can be controlled together with the other elements of a module 1.

[0046] To supply a module 1 with electrical energy, it has, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a connector plug or a connection module 8, which couples with a corresponding connection module 8 on the frame 4 when the module is in the working position. This ensures that a module 1 moved into the maintenance position is always in a passive state, i.e., not electrically connected, and that operating personnel are not endangered.

[0047] To ensure that modules 1 realize their advantages in a machine with multiple modules 1, they have a common width B in the x-direction, which defines a standard width. The widths of connecting modules 8 and the rails 2 in the x-direction must not exceed this (see Fig. 4), because otherwise, firstly, one module 1 would unnecessarily take up more space in the x-direction than necessary, and secondly, two adjacent modules 1 would no longer be directly adjacent to one another.

[0048] In addition, the upright orientation of the module 1 makes it possible to arrange the connection module 8 above the transport element 3, viewed in the direction of gravity (z-direction). This is a measure to keep the food processing area separate from electrical components. In particular, as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3, the transport element s is arranged as far down as possible in the module 1, namely on the base 17 of the module 1, and the connection module 8 is arranged as high up as possible, namely on or at the top 18 of the module 1. This makes it possible to arrange the other electrical components of the (not shown) internal structure of a module 1 towards the upper area and to arrange storage containers (e.g. storage container 14 in Fig. 5) towards the lower area, but in any case below some of the electrical components.

[0049] The goal of modular machine design is to make the replacement of individual machine components as easy as possible. The modular design also makes it possible to quickly and easily expand an existing system with additional modules, as well as reduce the overall size of the machine by omitting unnecessary modules during the planning phase.

[0050] The advantages of a modular design are evident when a defective module 1 simply needs to be removed from the frame and lifted out of the rail 2. Likewise, maintenance and cleaning can be performed on removed modules 1 without causing significant downtime for the machine itself.

[0051] New or further developed modules 1 with new functions can be quickly and easily inserted into an existing machine, modules 1 can be exchanged with each other if necessary in order to change the way the machine works, or a machine or a machine can be easily expanded or reduced in size.

[0052] The ability to quickly and easily replace individual modules 1 completely eliminates any downtime that may occur on the machine and instead shifts it to the individual modules 1, thus drastically increasing the overall efficiency of the machine.

[0053] By selecting the extension direction of a module 1, a front side 16 is defined which is visible and accessible when the module 1 is in the working position and in operation. The front side 16 can accommodate operating elements and / or a door or flap (not shown) via which empty storage containers 14 can be exchanged for filled storage containers 14 of a product, such as an ingredient. This allows the module 1 to remain in the working position and in the operating state during foreseeable, operation-maintaining and repetitive actions. In addition, the interior of a module can be further divided into separate areas, enabling more efficient operation.In addition to the area of ​​electrical or other connections in the upper, rear area of ​​a module 1 and the lower, rear area for the production line with temporarily located sensitive products or pre-products, a third area is created directly behind the front 16 of a module 1, to which the operating personnel has access.

[0054] In this way, a separation can be created between an area to which staff with certain prior knowledge have access and an area for staff with different prior knowledge or authorizations. One application example is the automated production of meals by a machine with one to, for example, 15 modules 1, in which the restaurant staff only exchange ingredients for the meals during operation using control elements and flaps on the front sides 1 of the modules 1. During this time, technically and hygienically sensitive areas of the automated meal production are not accessible because the modules 1 are in the working position and, in addition, limiting means such as partition wall sections are provided in the interior behind the space for storage containers 14.

[0055] After the modules 1 have been moved out into the maintenance position, differently trained maintenance personnel then have access to all areas in, on or behind a module 1 .

[0056] A module 1 can also have a compressed air connection. In process engineering, solutions are known for using the kinetic energy of compressed air to operate grippers, gears, levers, etc. Similar to the electrical connection, a connection can be provided for receiving compressed air, which is distributed and used for production depending on the function.

[0057] The electrical connector 5 can be combined with the compressed air connection (not shown) in the connection module 8. Likewise, a plug-like means for data transmission can be provided in or next to the electrical connector 5 in the connection module 8 so that the module 1 can be controlled and monitored.

[0058] In the retracted state (working position), module 1 is connected to a mating connector (female) fixedly mounted on the machine frame 4 via connector 5 on module 1 (e.g., male), which is responsible for data transmission, power supply, hydraulics / pneumatics, or other required connections. This allows the modules 1 to be replaced without having to reroute the necessary connections.

[0059] To make replacing a module 1 easier, it is pulled out using the rails 2 to access the locking elements in the connecting units 19 between module 1 and the pull-out rail 2. By disconnecting the plug connection between module 1 and the machine at the connecting modules 8, the module 1 can be safely removed. By opening the locking elements using a quick-lock 20, which simultaneously opens or closes two or more connecting units 19, the module can be removed from the rail 2 and a new or repaired module 1 can be inserted.

[0060] The now replaced module 1 is reattached to the rail 2 by means of the securing elements and is fully functional again after being moved into the working position and the associated joining of all plugs 5 in the connection modules 8.

[0061] A module 1 receives a pre-product on the transport element 3 according to an electronic control which sets the transport element 3 in a predetermined movement, while the pre-product is brought forward by external means such as an upstream module 1 of the same design. Once the pre-product is lying completely on the transport element 3, it is stopped after reaching a predetermined processing position. The systems provided for the processing step are located in the interior of a module 1. In addition to one or more storage containers 14, this can be a separating unit 15 for a specific ingredient, but it can also be a cooling system for the ingredient or the pre-product, a toaster for the pre-product, a heat source for the pre-product or a camera for position determination or quality control of the pre-product.

[0062] A module 1 can contain an ingredient for a pizza, a sandwich or other assembled dish and transfer it to the pre-product in one processing step.

[0063] Modules 1 of the type shown can also be used for the automated production of sandwiches, pizzas, cakes, tacos, burritos, and other items. For this purpose, only the systems and storage containers 14 in the interior need to be adapted, not the basic structure of the modules 1.

[0064] According to Fig. 4, the flexibility of an offer with the modules 1 is increased in that, although they have a width B as the standard width for as many modules 1 as possible, modules 1 can also be equipped with a width B that is 2 times, 3 times, or another integer multiple of the width B. Fig. 4 shows a module 1 with 2 times the width B of the other four modules 1. A correspondingly wider module can be mounted on two parallel rails 2, whereby the provision of rails 2 with equal spacing between one another on the frame 4 is still possible and both simplifies the manufacture of a machine with modules 1 and ensures the storage of a wider module 1 with sufficient safety and stability.

[0065] A module 1 with an integer multiple of the width B can have only one connection module 8, while all connection modules 8 on the frame 4 of the machine, except for one at the location of this module 1, can remain partially unused or simply be omitted in order to further save costs.

[0066] Fig. 5 schematically shows an entire machine, while the edges of the modules have been omitted in favor of the frame 4. The transport elements 3 of the modules form a common, schematically represented conveyor belt 9 in the working position and have also been omitted in favor of the latter. Using an input device 11, such as a touchscreen of an electronic device, an order is placed in the form of a selection from a product range. The order is received by the electronic control system and transmitted to the modules in the form of commands.

[0067] For example, a product base 13 in the form of a tray can move in the x-direction through the modules and stop step by step below storage containers 14 and the respective separating units 15 in order to receive a portion of a product in the form of an ingredient for the order.

[0068] In this example, the product to be produced is a pizza 10, which is gradually produced in the tray until it arrives at a removal compartment 12 and is parked there. This can be achieved, for example, by the product sliding on the product support 13 from the conveyor belt 9 onto a fixed parking area (not shown) and remaining there until an operator removes the product—here, a pizza 10—by hand.

[0069] The machine receives the instructions for manufacturing the product from an electronic control system. Certain control commands concerning module 1 are transmitted via connection module 8, and response data and commands are returned to the control system via the same module.

[0070] Modules 1 not only enable the efficient, fully automated production of assembled products, especially meals, in many respects. They also enable the efficient offering and distribution of a very wide product range. Thus, in principle, each product or ingredient in a module 1 can be kept in two, three, or more varieties in separate storage containers 14, and can be selected from one of these alternatives depending on the control for a specific product. Furthermore, certain products that are not a basic ingredient for a product type can be omitted.

[0071] The partial space of the interior of a module 1, which is provided for the storage containers 14 and the separating unit 15, offers sufficient volume to accommodate storage containers 14 which are specially configured depending on the type of goods, optionally for several types of goods.

[0072] Three examples: In the simplest case, a module 1 can be intended for salami slices for a pizza. Salami slices are therefore the product to be stored and, upon control command, to be separated and dispensed; pizzas are the product that is only temporarily present in module 1 as a preliminary product. Module 1 then comprises a storage container 14 filled with ready-cut salami slices. The associated separating unit 15, which can be easily constructed by a specialist, must then remove a salami slice from the storage container 14 following an instruction from the electronic control system and, after detecting the presence of a product base together with, for example, a pizza preliminary product on the transport element 3 of the same module 1, place it there. The transport element 3 then moves on and transfers the thus processed preliminary product to the next station, e.g., a neighboring module 1 for the dispensing of arugula salad.The electronic control system is informed of the new fill level of the one storage container 14 for salami slices. If the storage container 14 is empty or about to be empty, the electronic control system signals the operating personnel to open the flap of module 1 soon, exchange the empty storage container 14 for a full one, and close the flap again. In a simpler embodiment, it is also conceivable for the operating personnel to simply fill the remaining storage container 14 in module 1 with salami slices via an access point, such as a lockable flap, to make module 1 operational again.

[0073] All critical states of Module 1 can be recorded by the electronic control system to issue a warning signal (e.g., "lid is still open," "storage container urgently needs to be replaced," "storage container not correctly installed," "interior dirty," "transport element blocked," "module not yet in working position," etc.) to the operating personnel. The operating personnel are no longer busy preparing the pizzas themselves or monitoring various supplies. The simple Module 1 in this example, although it contains only one product, can already be used to produce several types of pizza.

[0074] In the second example, module 1 comprises two storage containers 14 containing two types of salami slices, e.g., regular salami slices and spicy salami slices, stored separately. The procedure is now as in the first example, but the separating unit 15 additionally receives an instruction from the electronic control system to select one of the two alternatives from this selection, depending on the order. Here, too, the operating personnel are only signaled when one of the two storage containers 14 needs to be replaced. The electronic control system and the design of the storage containers 14 can be selected so that incorrect operation, e.g., a mix-up of different types of salami slices, is detected and signaled.

[0075] In the third example, a module contains three types of goods, from which a selection can be made from an assortment depending on the current product order; moreover, each type of goods is available not in just one, but in three storage containers 14, so that module 1 can process a higher number of orders before storage containers need to be replaced. Therefore, three storage containers 14 are provided, each for three different types of goods, which are automatically rotated through in module 1. A total of nine storage containers 14 are then provided, a separating unit 15, which has access to one storage container 14 in operation at a time, and a mechanism (not shown) for exchanging two storage containers 14 of one type of goods, which a specialist can easily construct. A module 1 of this type can, for example, be provided for pizza dough flatbreads, which are stored in the types "round and normal", "round and larger diameter", and "oblong".As soon as a storage container 14 is emptied during operation, the operating personnel are signaled to replace it. However, there is more time for this because the next storage container 14 of the same product type is already in module 1 and is automatically connected and gradually emptied. At the same time, the use of module 1 in this third example allows for a further expanded range of pizza products, as the product range now includes three different pizza sizes.

[0076] The electronic control system includes a program for controlling the mechanical movements of the elements in and on a module 1. It also records the status of at least the transport element 3, the storage container 14, and the separation unit 15. Finally, it can transmit at least a basic number of signals to the operating personnel depending on the status of the elements in and on a module 1. Finally, it can record and store data on the history of a module (operating times, maintenance times, quantities of goods delivered, malfunctions by number, date, and type, etc.).

[0077] By operating one or more modules 1, operating personnel perform fewer steps to produce the same number of products. Furthermore, the processes are simpler and safer in terms of hygiene and consistent product quality. This prevents manufacturing errors and shortens staff training.

[0078] The application of Module 1 is not limited to the production of food or dishes. It can achieve the aforementioned benefits for any product that can be assembled step by step in an automated manner and that is to be offered in a variety of forms. In the food sector, the application of Module 1 is not limited to the aforementioned but can encompass any dish, assembled edible product, or intermediate product.

[0079] List of reference symbols

[0080] module

[0081] rail

[0082] Rail top

[0083] Rail base

[0084] Transport element

[0085] Frame

[0086] Plug

[0087] Entrance

[0088] Exit

[0089] Connection module

[0090] assembly line

[0091] pizza

[0092] Input devices

[0093] Removal compartment

[0094] Product documentation

[0095] storage container

[0096] Separation unit

[0097] front

[0098] Floor

[0099] Top

[0100] Connecting unit 0 Quicklock 1 Support roller 2 Axle

[0101] B Width of a module

Claims

Patent claims 1. Module (1) for storing and dispensing portioned goods, in particular foodstuffs, with a storage container (14) for a product, with a separating unit (15) for partial quantities of the product, with an inlet (6) for a product base (13) and an outlet (7) for the product base (13), characterized in that a transport element (3) is arranged between the inlet (6) and the outlet (7), on which transport element a product base (13) can be transported into the module (1) in a predetermined x-direction, stored at rest in the module (1) and transported out of the module (1) in the x-direction, and wherein the module (1) can be displaceably mounted on an outer frame (4) between a working position and a maintenance position.

2. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the module (1) has at least one pull-out rail (2) on which it is slidably mounted.

3. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a support roller (21) is arranged on the input side and / or output side next to the transport element (3), the circumference of which roller touches the transport plane of the transport element (3) and the axis (22) of which roller is perpendicular to the x-direction.

4. Module according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it can be mounted on an outer frame (4) in such a way that it can be moved between the working position and the maintenance position in a predetermined y-direction which is perpendicular to the x-direction.

5. Module according to claim 4, characterized in that it has an outer side (16) seen in the y-direction, which is defined as the operator side, wherein at least one opening for replacing the at least one storage container (14), wherein the opening in particular has a flap.

6. Module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one electrical connection (5) which can be coupled to at least one counterpart electrical connection (5) on an outer frame (4) when the module (1) is in the working position.

7. Module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a compressed air connection which can be coupled to a counterpart connection on a frame (4) when the module (1) is in the working position.

8. Module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it extends in a z-direction which is perpendicular to the x- and y-direction and oriented along the direction of gravity, whereby a bottom and a top are defined on the module (1).

9. Module according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one electrical connection (5) and / or the compressed air connection is / are arranged above the transport element (4).

10. Module according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has an electronic control at least for carrying out and monitoring the transport of a product support with, if necessary, a preliminary product, the removal and, if necessary, the separation of the goods as well as the fill level of the storage container(s) (14). 1 1. Module according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises at least two storage containers (14) for two different types of goods from which the release of a type of goods can be selected alternatively depending on an electronic control system.

12. Module according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises one of the following list of devices: a separating device for bulk goods, a dosing device for sauces, a dispensing device for goods stored on a chain of bowls.

13. Device for producing assembled meals, comprising a conveyor belt (9) on which the meal to be assembled is movable in an x-direction, and a plurality of storage containers (14) for food, each with a separating unit (15) along the conveyor belt (9), characterized in that the device comprises at least one module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transport element(s) (3) of the module(s) (1) is / are a section of the conveyor belt (9).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises two or more modules (1) which are arranged directly next to one another and whose transport elements (3) form a continuous section of the conveyor belt (9).

15. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises two or more modules (1) which are arranged next to one another and whose transport elements (3) form a continuous section of the conveyor belt (9), wherein between adjacent transport elements (3) a support roller (21) is arranged, the circumference of which touches the transport plane of the transport element (3) and whose axis (22) is perpendicular to the x-direction.

16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the width (B) in the x-direction of at least one module (1 ) has a predetermined value and the Width (B) of at least one further module (1) is twice the predetermined value.

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