Plate Supply System

Abstract

To disclose a plate feeding system in which the used dish plate can efficiently be stacked while washing.SOLUTION: A plate feeding system for restaurants includes: a plate washing device for washing the used dish plate carried from a seat of the restaurant one by one; a first conveyance path for conveying the washed dish plate fed from the plate washing device sequentially; multiple plate holding devices installed in a multiple manner along the first conveyance path, and sequentially stacking the dish plates in the first conveyance path to a holding part arranged in an upper part of the first conveyance path from the bottom; a second conveyance path for forming a conveyance path along the multiple plate holding devices, and transferring the stacked dish plates in the holding part when at least any of the multiple plate holding devices is transferred from the holding part to the conveyance path; and a transfer device for transferring the stacked dish plate on the second conveyance path to a circulation path circulating in a kitchen of the restaurant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tray supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, securing workers has become socially difficult, and restaurants have also begun to use automated machines, such as conveying equipment that transports used tableware from customer seats to the kitchen (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-4). Furthermore, using automated machines is more hygienic than doing the work by hand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-290623 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-287651 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-33446 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-141327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to washing a large number of dishes at once, automatic washing machines can also wash and feed each dish one by one. For those handling the washed dishes, it is preferable for them to be neatly stacked.

[0005] When washing dishes is to be stacked automatically by a machine, it is thought that a machine that washes and feeds out dishes one by one, which is the pre-processing step, is mechanically easier to stack than a machine that washes a large number of dishes all at once. However, because there is a limit to the height to which dishes can be stacked, even if the automatic dish washing machine can feed out dishes continuously, there will inevitably be times when the automatic machine needs to be temporarily stopped to stack the dishes.

[0006] Therefore, the present application discloses a dish supply system that can efficiently stack used dishes while cleaning them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, in this invention, washed dish plates fed from a dish washing device that washes each dish plate one by one are stacked in a holding section from the bottom up by each of multiple dish holding devices installed along a conveying path that transports the dish plates fed from the dish washing device in sequence.

[0008] In detail, the present invention is a plate supply system for a restaurant, comprising a dish washing device that washes used dishes one by one transported from customer seats in the restaurant, a first transport path that transports the washed dishes delivered from the dish washing device in sequence, a plurality of plate holding devices that are installed along the first transport path and stack the dishes on the first transport path from the bottom up onto a holding section located above the first transport path, a second transport path that forms a transport path along the plurality of plate holding devices and transfers the stacked dishes when at least one of the plurality of plate holding devices transfers the dishes stacked in the holding section onto the transport path, and a transfer device that transfers the dishes stacked on the second transport path onto a circulation path that circulates within the kitchen of the restaurant. , and is equipped with.

[0009] In the above-described dish supply system, used dishes are washed one by one in the dishwasher and fed out in order. Along the first conveying path, which sequentially conveys washed dishes fed from the dishwasher, multiple dish holding devices are installed. These devices stack dishes from the first conveying path from the bottom up onto a holding section located above the first conveying path. Therefore, when dishes are stacked in one dish holding device, dishes fed from the dishwasher can continue to be stacked from the bottom up onto the holding sections of other dish holding devices. The stacked dishes are then transferred to the circulation path by a transfer device via the second conveying path. Therefore, the above-described dish supply system allows washed dishes to be efficiently stacked onto the circulation path while the dishwasher operates continuously without stopping.

[0010] The plate supply system may further include a plurality of push-up devices that are provided at locations corresponding to the plurality of plate holding devices and that push up plates from below the first transport path, thereby allowing plates to be stacked from the bottom up onto the holding sections of the plate holding devices.

[0011] The plate holding device may also be configured to transfer the stacked plates to the second conveying path when a predetermined number of plates have been stacked in the holding section, thereby making it possible to align the height of the plates stacked on the circulation path to a predetermined number.

[0012] The transfer device may also lift the stacked plates from the second conveying path and transfer them to a circulation path that is at a different height from the second conveying path. This makes it easier to remove the stacked plates that have been moved to the circulation path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The above-described dish supply system allows for efficient stacking of used dishes while cleaning them. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a plate supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the dish washing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the plate stacking device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a push-up device provided in the plate holding device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the push-up device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the lifting device, which is the main body of the dish holding device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a first diagram showing the operation of the plate holding device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a second view showing the operation of the dish holding device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the transfer device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing the operation of the transfer device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing the movement of plates in the plate supply system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a second diagram showing the movement of plates in the plate supply system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the transfer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following describes embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments described below are merely aspects of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The following embodiments and modifications are applicable to a wide range of foods, for example, sushi, beverages, rice bowls such as soba and udon, fried chicken, tempura, and grilled meat. It is suitable for restaurants that serve a variety of foods and drinks.

[0016] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a plate supply system 1 according to an embodiment. The plate supply system 1 supplies washed tableware D to staff S in a kitchen area 2, and is mainly equipped with an ordered food and drink conveying device 4, a dish recovery device 6, a pre-processing device 8, a dish washing device 9, a plate stacking device 10, and an empty plate conveying device 15.

[0017] The ordered food and beverage conveying device 4 is a device that conveys tableware D for food and beverages prepared by staff S in response to an order from a customer C from the kitchen area 2 to a dining table 5 in the customer seating area 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the ordered food and beverage conveying device 4 is a belt conveyor that forms a conveying path that passes beside each dining table 5 where the customer C eats. Note that the device that conveys tableware D from the kitchen area 2 to the customer seating area 3 is not limited to a belt conveyor such as the ordered food and beverage conveying device 4. The device that conveys tableware D from the kitchen area 2 to the customer seating area 3 may be, for example, an ordered food and beverage conveying device that moves a cart capable of carrying tableware D back and forth between the kitchen area 2 and the dining table 5 in the customer seating area 3, or may be a food and beverage conveying device that forms an endless circular conveying path. Furthermore, a food circulation conveying device that circulates food and beverages or other ordered food and beverage conveying devices may be installed above or below the ordered food and beverage conveying device 4. In addition, shelves, storage boxes, or storage spaces for placing teacups, condiments, menus, etc. may be provided above or below the ordered food and drink conveying device 4.

[0018] The tableware recovery device 6 is a device that forms a conveying path at a lower position than the ordered food and drink conveying device 4 and the empty plate conveying device 15, and conveys bus boxes 7 containing used tableware D from inlets provided at multiple locations in the customer seating area 3 to the vicinity of the pre-processing device 8 in the kitchen area 2. The tableware recovery device 6 is basically a device that forms a conveying path that extends along the wall W that is the boundary between the kitchen area 2 and the customer seating area 3, but it may also form a conveying path along each food and drink table 5 similar to the one formed by the ordered food and drink conveying device 4 in the customer seating area 3, also below the ordered food and drink conveying device 4.

[0019] In this embodiment, a dish recovery device 6 is exemplified that transports bus boxes 7 into which used dishes are placed, but the device for recovering used dish plates D is not limited to a device that uses bus boxes 7. The device for recovering used dish plates D may also be a device that transports dish plates D using thin trays or various other means instead of bus boxes 7. Furthermore, the device for recovering used dish plates D may form a non-linear transport path with a curve.

[0020] In a store where a dish collection device 6 is installed, after a customer C finishes eating and places the used dishes D remaining on the dining table 5 into a bus box 7, the bus box 7 is placed into the dish collection device 6 through an opening in the wall W, and transported toward the pre-processing device 8. The dish collection device 6 is designed so that the transport surface of the dish collection device 6 is relatively close to the floor, making it easy to load the bus boxes 7. Therefore, in the customer seating area 3, the bus boxes 7 can be easily loaded onto the dish collection device 6. On the other hand, at the end of the dish collection device 6, it is necessary to lift the bus box 7 and place the dishes D into the pre-processing device 8. Therefore, a lifting device for raising and lowering the bus box 7 may be installed at the end of the dish collection device 6. If such a lifting device is installed at the end of the dish collection device 6, it is possible to further reduce the workload of staff S.

[0021] The pre-treatment device 8 automatically supplies the dishes D to the dishwashing device 9, which washes the dishes D. The pre-treatment device 8 has a water tank into which the dishes D are put, a conveyor that lifts the dishes D one by one from the water tank, and an inversion mechanism that turns the dishes D upside down when they are upside down after being lifted from the water tank by the conveyor. The pre-treatment device 8 supplies the dishes D put into the water tank one by one in the correct position to the dishwashing device 9. Then, the pre-processing device 8 stacks the dishes D one by one at a dish intake port provided in the dish washing device 9. Furthermore, the pre-processing device 8 automatically stops when a sensor detects that the dishes D have been piled up to a predetermined height at the dish intake port of the dish washing device 9.

[0022] The dishwashing device 9 washes and discharges the dishes D supplied from the pre-treatment device 8 one by one. The dishwashing device 9 has a dish inlet on the top surface of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing, and a dish outlet on the side of the housing for discharging the dishes D on the first conveying path 11 of the dish stacking device 10. Thus, unwashed dishes D used in eating and drinking are stacked at the dish inlet of the dishwashing device 9 by the pre-treatment device 8, while washed dishes D washed in the dishwashing device 9 are discharged from the dish outlet.

[0023] The plate stacking device 10 stacks the dishes D discharged one by one from the dish washing device 9 and places them on the empty plate transport device 15. The plate stacking device 10 includes a first transport path 11 that transports the washed dishes D delivered one by one from the dish discharge outlet of the dish washing device 9 in order, a plurality of dish holding devices 13A-C that are installed along the transport path of the first transport path 11 and take in the dishes D on the transport path of the first transport path 11 and hold them in a stacked state, a second transport path 12 that forms a transport path along the dish holding devices 13A-C and transfers the stacked dishes D transferred from the dish holding devices 13A-C, and a transfer device 14 that transfers the stacked dishes D on the transport path of the second transport path 12 to a circulation path formed in the kitchen area 2 by the empty plate transport device 15.

[0024] The empty plate conveying device 15 is a circulating conveying device that forms a circulation path using an endless crescent chain. The empty plate conveying device 15 circulates and conveys stacked dishes D at a position higher than the work table 16 where the staff member S is working, thereby supplying washed dishes D to the staff member S working at the work table 16. This allows the staff member S working at the work table 16 to prepare food and drink using the washed dishes D that are being circulated and conveyed by the empty plate conveying device 15, and then serve the food and drink to the table 5 where the customer C is sitting using the ordered food and drink conveying device 4.

[0025] Next, the dish washing device 9 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the dish washing device 9. FIG. 2 shows how dishes D are washed inside the dish washing device 9. Dishes D enter the housing through the dish inlet 91 and are slid laterally one by one by a pair of conveying screws 96, 96 arranged in parallel from the dish inlet 91 to the dish discharge outlet 92, and reach the dish discharge outlet 92. The pair of conveying screws 96, 96 have spiral grooves formed in different directions. Dishes D are dropped into the dish inlet 91 one by one by a drop device provided at the dish inlet 91 and fit into the grooves of each conveying screw 96, 96. Furthermore, the dishes D dropped into the dish inlet 91 are supported by rails (not shown) provided inside the pair of conveying screws 96, 96. Therefore, when the pair of conveying screws 96, 96 rotate in opposite directions while fitted in the groove of the conveying screw 96, the dish plates D slide sideways along the rails. In Figure 2, the dish inlet 91 is shown on the left side of the device and the dish outlet 92 is shown on the right side of the device, so the dish plates D move from left to right inside the dish washing device 9.

[0026] Within the dish washing device 9, a washing liquid nozzle 93, a washing brush 94, and a drying nozzle 95 are provided along the path along which the dish plates D slide. The washing liquid nozzle 93 sprays washing water onto the dish plates D. The washing brush 94 brushes the dish plates D to remove solid matter adhering to the dish plates D, and is rotated by the power of a motor (not shown). The washing brush 94 is a roughly cylindrical rotating brush with bristles that stand up from the outer surface of a rotating shaft whose central axis intersects laterally with the sliding direction of the dish plates D. The drying nozzle 95 blows air onto the dish plates D to blow away moisture adhering to the dish plates D.

[0027] Therefore, as the pair of conveying screws 96, 96 rotate and slide the dish D placed in the dish inlet 91 to the dish outlet 92, the dish D is washed by the washing liquid nozzle 93 and the washing brush 94, and dried by the air blown out of the drying nozzle 95, becoming clean. The cleaned dish D is transferred to the conveyor 11A at the dish outlet 92.

[0028] Next, the plate stacking device 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the plate stacking device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate stacking device 10 has a first conveying path 11 that sequentially conveys dishes D that enter through a dish inlet 91, are washed one by one, and are then discharged through a dish discharge outlet 92. As shown in FIG. 3, the first conveying path 11 is composed of conveyors 11A, 11B, and 11C. The conveyor 11A is a chain-type belt conveyor that is installed so that a portion of it enters the housing of the dish washing device 9 from the dish discharge outlet 92. The conveyor 11C is a chain-type belt conveyor that extends in the left-right direction of the dish washing device 9 on the rear side. The conveyor 11B is a chain-type belt conveyor that connects the end of the conveyor 11A to the start of the conveyor 11C. At each end of conveyor 11A and conveyor 11B, a movable transfer device is provided to push the plates D so that they can be transferred smoothly to the adjacent belt conveyor. The transfer device will be described later.

[0029] The second transport path 12 is a chain-type belt conveyor that extends parallel to the conveyor 11C, but is located at a lower position than the transport path formed by the conveyor 11C. This is to ensure that the second transport path 12 has a height difference that allows it to transport the dishes D stacked inside the plate holding devices 13A-C while keeping them stacked. However, depending on the design of the kitchen area 2, the second transport path 12 may be located at the same height as the conveyor 11C, or may be located at a higher position than the conveyor 11C.

[0030] Plate holding device 13A pushes up and lifts plates D conveyed one by one by conveyor 11C from below, and stacks them from the bottom up on a holder located above conveyor 11C. When a predetermined number of plates D held in the holder have been stacked, plate holding device 13A moves the plates D in their stacked state to second conveying path 12. Plate holding devices 13B and 13C are similar to plate holding device 13A.

[0031] The transfer device 14 lifts the stacked dish plates D transported by the second transport path 12 from the second transport path 12 at the end of the second transport path 12 while still in the stacked state, and places them on the empty plate transport device 15.

[0032] The plate holding devices 13A-C will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing push-up devices 131A-C provided in the plate holding devices 13A-C. As shown in FIG. 4, the push-up devices 131A-C are equipped with push-up members 133 that push up from below the dish plates D transported by the conveyor 11C. The push-up members 133 are raised and lowered by a drive unit 134. The push-up members 133 are members that contact the thread-cut portions of the dish plates D to push up the dish plates D, and are provided on both the left and right sides of the conveyor 11C. The push-up members 133 are raised and lowered in response to instructions from a control device that controls the plate supply system 1. The control device determines which of the push-up devices 131A-C to raise and lower based on the number of dish plates D held by each push-up device 131A-C.

[0033] Furthermore, the push-up devices 131A-C are provided with movable support claws 132 that protrude into the space above the conveyor 11C for holding the dishes D. These support claws 132 retract when they come into contact with dishes D that are being pushed up from below by the push-up members 133, but they do not retract when they come into contact with dishes D that are moving downward. Even when the moving part 134 lowers the push-up member 133 to its original position, the dish D pushed up by the push-up member 133 does not come down and rest on the conveyor 11C again.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of push-up devices 131A-C. When a dish D carried by conveyor 11C reaches an appropriate position of any of push-up devices 131A-C, push-up member 133 is pushed up by drive unit 134 (from (A) to (B) in FIG. 5). During this time, conveyor 11C continues to operate, but dish D continues to slide along the conveying surface of conveyor 11C because it is stopped by a protruding stopper provided on push-up member 133. When dish D is pushed up by push-up member 133, dish D rests on support claw 132 (from (B) to (C1) in FIG. 5). Thereafter, drive unit 134 lowers push-up member 133, but dish D remains resting on support claw 132 (from (C1) to (D1) in FIG. 5). Furthermore, for example, when passing dish plate D through push-up devices 131A and B, drive unit 134 lowers push-up member 133 to allow dish plate D to pass through so that the protruding stopper on push-up member 133 does not come into contact with dish plate D, and then raises push-up member 133 after dish plate D has passed (from (C2) to (D2) in FIG. 5). Note that when passing dish plate D, push-up devices 131A-C may leave push-up member 133 lowered in advance, rather than raising and lowering push-up member 133 each time a dish plate D passes. Furthermore, since conveyor 11C is basically continuously operating, it is preferable that the conveying surface of conveyor 11C be a smooth conveying surface on which dish plate D can easily slide.

[0035] Next, we will explain the main body parts of dish holding devices 13A to C. Figure 6 is a configuration diagram of lifting device 135, which is the main body part of dish holding devices 13A to C. Figure 6(A) shows a view of lifting device 135 from the front, and Figure 6(B) shows a view of lifting device 135 from the side.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the lifting device 135 has a holding arm 136 configured to surround the stacked dishes D from both sides. The lower end of the holding arm 136 is provided with a holding claw 137 that supports the stacked dishes D from below. The holding arm 136 is suspended from a horizontal rail 138, which allows the holding arm 136 to slide horizontally. The holding arm 136 is connected to a slide belt 140 via a fastener 139. The slide belt 140 is driven by power transmitted from a motor 149 via a drive belt 142 and a drive shaft 141. Therefore, when the motor 149 is activated, the holding arm 136 slides horizontally along the horizontal rail 138.

[0037] Furthermore, the horizontal rail 138 is fixed to a frame 150. The frame 150 is a member that is raised and lowered along a frame 143 that extends in the vertical direction. The frame 150 is connected to a lifting belt 145 via a fastener 144. The lifting belt 145 is a belt that is hung in the vertical direction along the longitudinal direction of the frame 143, and is driven by power transmitted from a motor 147 via a drive belt 148 and a drive shaft 146. Therefore, when the motor 147 operates, the holding arm 136, which is suspended from the horizontal rail 138 fixed to the frame 150, moves up and down together with the frame 150.

[0038] Fig. 7 is a first diagram showing the operation of dish holding devices 13A to C. Fig. 8 is a second diagram showing the operation of dish holding devices 13A to C. Each of dish holding devices 13A to C is provided with a lifting device 135, but for ease of understanding, Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the operation of lifting device 135 of dish holding device 13C.

[0039] The pushing-up operation is repeated in the pushing-up device 131C, and the support of the pushing-up device 131C When a predetermined number of plates D have been stacked on the holding claws 132, the control device of the plate supply system 1 operates the lifting device 135 of the push-up device 131C as follows: That is, the control device of the plate supply system 1 activates the motor 149 of the lifting device 135, which had been in standby mode, to move the holding arm 136 horizontally toward the push-up device 131C (from (A) to (B) in Figure 7). As a result, the pair of holding arms 136 clamp the plate D, and the holding claws 137 at the bottom end of each holding arm 136 enter a state below the plate D stacked on the push-up device 131C.

[0040] Next, the control device of the plate supply system 1 slightly operates the motor 147 to raise the holding arm 136 (from (B) to (C) in FIG. 7). As a result, the dishes D that were stacked on the push-up device 131C are lifted from the support claws 132 of the push-up device 131C while remaining stacked.

[0041] Next, the control device of the plate supply system 1 activates the motor 149 to move the holding arm 136 horizontally to directly above the second conveying path 12 (from FIG. 7(C) to FIG. 8(A)). Next, the control device of the plate supply system 1 activates the motor 147 to lower the holding arm 136, and place the stack of plates D held by the holding arm 136 onto the second conveying path 12 (from FIG. 8(A) to (B)). Next, the control device of the plate supply system 1 activates the motor 149 to move the holding arm 136 slightly toward the push-up device 131C, and retract the holding claws 137 from directly below the plates D (from FIG. 8(B) to (C)). Then, the control device of the plate supply system 1 activates the motor 147 slightly to raise the holding arm 136, and place the lifting device 135 back into standby mode (from FIG. 8(C) to FIG. 7(A)).

[0042] The above is the operation of lifting / lowering device 135. Although the above describes the operation of lifting / lowering device 135 of dish holding device 13C, the same applies to lifting / lowering device 135 of dish holding device 13A and lifting / lowering device 135 of dish holding device 13B.

[0043] Next, the operation of the transfer device 14 will be described. FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing the operation of the transfer device 14. FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing the operation of the transfer device 14. The configuration and operation of the transfer device 14 are similar to those of the plate holding devices 13A-C. That is, the transfer device 14 waits at the end of the second conveying path 12 (FIG. 9(A)). Then, when the stacked dish plates D arrive at the end of the second conveying path 12 and the second conveying path 12 stops (FIG. 9(B)), the transfer device 14 lifts the stacked dish plates D to a position higher than the conveying surface of the empty plate conveying device 15 (FIG. 9(C)). Then, the transfer device 14 moves the dish plates D laterally to directly above the empty plate conveying device 15 (FIG. 10(A)). The transfer device 14 then lowers the dish plate D and places it on the conveying surface of the empty plate conveying device 15 (Figure 10(B)), and then retreats from above the empty plate conveying device 15 (Figure 10(C)). The transfer device 14 then waits again at the end of the second conveying path 12 (Figure 9(A)). The transfer device 14 checks for available space on the empty plate conveying device 15 using an optical sensor or the like to avoid contact with the dish plate D placed on the empty plate conveying device 15, and then begins the series of operations to place the dish plate D on the empty plate conveying device 15.

[0044] The plate supply system 1 of this embodiment has the above-described device configuration, and therefore can perform the following operations, for example. Fig. 11 is a first diagram showing the movement of dish plates D in the plate supply system 1. Fig. 12 is a second diagram showing the movement of dish plates D in the plate supply system 1.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 11(A), when dishes D are put into a dish inlet 91 of the dish washing device 9, the dish washing device 9 washes the dishes D piled up in the dish inlet 91 one by one. Then, the dishes D washed by the dish washing device 9 are placed on a conveyor 11A from a dish discharge outlet 92 and are discharged one by one. The dish D is fed out and transported to the plate holding devices 13A to C via the first transport path 11. The dish D is then pushed up and held at one of the plate holding devices 13A to C. Figure 11(A) shows how the dish D is pushed up at the position of the plate holding device 13A and held by the plate holding device 13A.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 11(B), as the dishes D are washed sequentially in the dish washing device 9 and the dishes D are repeatedly pushed up at the position of the dish holding device 13A, the number of dishes D held in the dish holding device 13A eventually reaches a predetermined number. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(C), the control device of the dish supply system 1 stops the pushing up of the dishes D in the dish holding device 13A and moves the stack of dishes D held in the dish holding device 13A to the second conveying path 12. Because the pushing up of the dishes D in the dish holding device 13A has stopped, subsequent dishes D carried to the first conveying path 11 are pushed up at the position of the dish holding device 13B or the dish holding device 13C. FIG. 11(C) shows the subsequent dishes D carried to the first conveying path 11 being pushed up at the position of the dish holding device 13B and held by the dish holding device 13B.

[0047] After the plate holding device 13A moves the dish plates D to the second conveying path 12, the control device of the plate supply system 1 operates the conveyor of the second conveying path 12 to move the dish plates D to the terminal portion of the second conveying path 12, as shown in Figure 11(D). Then, the control device of the plate supply system 1 causes the transfer device 14 to place the stacked dish plates D that have moved to the terminal portion of the second conveying path 12 onto the empty plate conveying device 15 (Figure 12(A)). While the dish plates D held by the plate holding device 13A are being transferred to the empty plate conveying device 15 via the second conveying path 12, the dish washing device 9 continues to wash the dish plates D, so the washed dish plates D are piled up on the plate holding device 13B.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 12(A), as dishes D are washed sequentially in the dish washing device 9 and the dishes D are repeatedly pushed up at the position of the dish holding device 13B, the number of dishes D held in the dish holding device 13B eventually reaches a predetermined number. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the control device of the dish supply system 1 stops the pushing up of the dishes D in the dish holding device 13B and moves the stack of dishes D held in the dish holding device 13B to the second conveying path 12. Because the pushing up of the dishes D in the dish holding device 13B has ended, subsequent dishes D carried to the first conveying path 11 are pushed up at the position of the dish holding device 13A or the dish holding device 13C. FIG. 12(B) shows the subsequent dishes D carried on the first conveying path 11 being pushed up at the position of the dish holding device 13C and being held by the dish holding device 13C.

[0049] After the plate holding device 13B moves the dish plates D to the second conveying path 12, the control device of the plate supply system 1 operates the conveyor of the second conveying path 12 to move the dish plates D to the terminal portion of the second conveying path 12, as shown in FIG. 12(C). Then, the control device of the plate supply system 1 causes the transfer device 14 to place the stacked dish plates D that have moved to the terminal portion of the second conveying path 12 onto the empty plate conveying device 15 (FIG. 12(D)). While the dish plates D held by the plate holding device 13B are being transferred to the empty plate conveying device 15 via the second conveying path 12, the dish washing device 9 continues to wash the dish plates D, so that the washed dish plates D are piled up in the plate holding device 13C. Then, the same operations as those of the plate holding devices 13A and 13B are performed in the plate holding device 13C, and the stacked dish plates D held by the plate holding device 13C are moved to the empty plate conveying device 15.

[0050] The transfer device of the first transport path 11 will be described in detail. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the transfer device. The transfer device 11N is appropriately provided at the connection (corner) between the conveyor 11A and the conveyor 11B of the first transport path 11, and at the connection (corner) between the conveyor 11B and the conveyor 11C of the first transport path 11. The transfer device 11N includes a sensor 11S that detects the approach of a dish D, a guide 11G that stops the dish D from moving straight, and a stopper 11G that stops the dish D from moving straight. The conveyor is equipped with a lever 11L for pushing D and a motor 11M for moving the lever 11L. As shown in FIG. 13(A), when a sensor 11S detects that a dish plate D has approached a corner, the motor 11M is activated and the dish plate D, which has come into contact with a guide 11G and stopped moving straight, is pushed to the next conveyor by the lever 11L (FIG. 13(B)). When pushed by the lever 11L, the dish plate D is transferred to the next conveyor (FIG. 13(C)). Because such transfer devices 11N are appropriately provided on the first conveying path 11, the dish plate D can be transferred smoothly between conveyors even if there are right-angle corners, etc.

[0051] In the plate supply system 1, the above series of operations is repeated, so that used dishes D used by customers C at dining tables 5 are transported to the pre-processing device 8 via the dish recovery device 6, washed in the dish washing device 9, and stacked in the washed state on the empty plate conveying device 15 by the plate stacking device 10. Therefore, staff S can pick up washed dishes D supplied by the plate supply system 1 from the empty plate conveying device 15 and supply dishes D with food and drink to customers C one after another using the ordered food conveying device 4, without having to perform various operations such as washing and transporting the dishes and plates D.

[0052] The plate supply system 1 of the above embodiment washes used dishes D used by customers C at dining tables 5 one after another and stacks them on the empty plate conveying device 15, thereby reducing the number of dishes D that need to be kept in the entire store compared to when dishes D are transported and washed manually. Also, since dishes D washed by the dish washing device 9 are stacked on the empty plate conveying device 15 without manual intervention, it is extremely hygienic compared to stacking dishes D manually.

[0053] It should be noted that the plate supply system 1 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the plate supply system 1 is not limited to one equipped with a plate stacking device 10 having three plate holding devices 13A-C, but may be one equipped with a plate stacking device 10 having two plate holding devices, or one equipped with a plate stacking device 10 having four or more plate holding devices.

[0054] Furthermore, the plate supply system 1 is not limited to a configuration in which washed dish plates D are supplied to staff S by an empty plate conveying device 15 that forms a circulating conveying path. The plate supply system 1 may, for example, supply washed dish plates D to staff S by a belt conveyor. Furthermore, the empty plate conveying device 15 may be positioned lower than the work table 16, and the transfer device 14 may place dish plates D on the conveying path of the empty plate conveying device 15, which is positioned lower than the second conveying path 12.

[0055] Furthermore, the plate stacking device 10 can be applied to applications other than the plate supply system 1. The plate stacking device 10 can be applied to locations where plate holding devices 13A-C take in and stack plate D flowing one by one on a conveyor, and send the plate D in a stacked state to the next process. If only one of the plate holding devices 13A-C is provided, it is difficult to continuously take in and stack plate D flowing one after another on the conveyor. However, if there are multiple devices that take in and stack plate D, such as the plate holding devices 13A-C, it is possible to continuously take in and stack plate D flowing one after another on the conveyor. In addition to the above embodiment, application forms of such a plate stacking device 10 include, for example, taking in and stacking plate D fed one after another from a plate manufacturing machine and transported by a conveyor in a plate manufacturing factory.

[0056] Furthermore, the plate supply system 1 employs a configuration in which the plate transfer device 14 places the dish plates D in the empty spaces of the empty plate conveying device 15, but for example, the intervals between the dish plates D placed on the empty plate conveying device 15 may be adjusted. For example, the plate supply system 1 adjusts the timing of operating the transfer device 14 so that the dish plates D placed on the empty plate conveying device 15 are spaced at approximately equal intervals. You may do so.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the explanation was given under the assumption that the types of dishes D were uniform, but the dish supply system 1 may also be configured so that various types of dishes D are sorted by type and held by the dish holding devices 13A-C. In this case, for example, the dish stacking device 10 may be provided with a sensor that identifies the type of dish D by an electronic tag or the color of the dish, and the dish holding devices 13A-C may be configured to sort the dishes by setting which of the dish holding devices 13A-C to take in for each type of dish D.

[0058] In addition, the above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not change the gist of the invention disclosed in this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] D··Dishes S. Staff C··Customers W··Wall 1. Plate supply system 2. Kitchen area 3. Seating area 4. Ordered food and drink conveying device 5. Dining table 6. Tableware collection device 7. Bus box 8. Pretreatment equipment 9. Dishwashing equipment 10. Plate stacking device 11. First transport route 11A, 11B, 11C Conveyor 11N Transfer device 11S··Sensor 11G Guide 11L··Lever 11M··motor 12. Second transport route 14. Transfer device 15. Empty tray transport device 16. Work table 91...Dish inlet 92...Plate outlet 93 Cleaning fluid nozzle 94 Cleaning brush 95 Drying nozzle 96··Conveyor screw 13A,13B,13C...Dish holding device 131A, 131B, 131C··Thrust-up device 132...Support claw 133 Push-up member 134 Drive unit 135··Lifting device 136··Holding arm 137...Holding claw 138··Horizontal rail 139,144··Fastener 140··Slide belt 141,146··Drive shaft 142,148··Drive belt 143,150··frames 145··Lifting belt 147,149··Motor

Claims

1. A plate supply system for a restaurant, a dish washing device that washes used dishes carried from customer seats in the restaurant one by one; a first conveying path for conveying washed dishes fed from the dish washing device in order; a plurality of plate holding devices installed along the first conveying path, which stack plates on the first conveying path in order from the bottom up onto a holding section disposed above the first conveying path; a second conveying path that forms a conveying path along the plurality of plate holding devices and that transports the stacked plates when at least one of the plurality of plate holding devices transfers the stacked plates from the holding section to the conveying path; and a transfer device that transfers the stacked dishes on the second conveying path to a circulation path that circulates the dishes in the kitchen of the restaurant. Plate feeding system.

2. The conveying system further includes a plurality of push-up devices provided at locations corresponding to the plurality of plate holding devices, and configured to push up plates from below the first conveying path. The dish supply system of claim 1 .

3. When a predetermined number of plates are stacked on the holding section, the plate holding device moves the stacked plates to the conveying path of the second conveying path.

3. The plate supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The transfer device lifts the stacked dishes from the second conveying path and transfers them to the circulating path, which is at a different height from the second conveying path. A plate supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images