Dispensing device and conveying device

Abstract

To provide a put-out device capable of efficiently moving plates or the like to a customer seat side from a conveyor of a conveyance device with a simpler device configuration.SOLUTION: A put-out device for putting out a container in which food and drinks conveyed by a conveyor of a conveying device are put to a customer seat side disposed along the conveyor from the conveyor includes: a put-out part for putting out the container in a put-out direction; and an inter-customer seat transfer part for moving the put-out part in an inter-customer seat moving direction, which is a direction along the conveyor, and moving it to the front of the customer seat where put-out is done. The put-out part includes a put-out arm for pushing out plates and a first moving mechanism for supporting the put-out arm above and moving it in the put-out direction. The inter-customer seat transfer part includes a second moving mechanism for moving the put-out part in the inter-customer seat moving direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing device that moves plates and the like transported by a transport device toward customer seats. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, conveyor belt sushi restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments use conveyors or other devices to transport ordered food and drink to the seats of customers who placed the orders. When the food and drink delivered to the customer's seat is removed from the conveyor, the conveyor becomes ready to transport the next food and drink. Therefore, devices and mechanisms have been proposed that remove food and drink from the conveyor so that the next food and drink can be transported quickly (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-122388 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the food and beverage conveying device of Patent Document 1 requires the creation of paths branching off from the conveyor and the creation of downward slopes on the branch paths, resulting in a complex structure. Furthermore, the shape of the branch paths and the arrangement of rollers must be designed to ensure smooth and reliable movement of plates along the branch paths. Furthermore, a device for guiding plates onto the branch paths must be installed at each seat, and a drive source, etc., is required for each branch path.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device that has a simpler device configuration and can efficiently move food and drink conveyed by a conveyor in a food and drink conveying device to the customer seats. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.

[0007] (1) A dispensing device that dispenses containers containing food and beverages transported by a conveyor of a transport device from the conveyor to the seating area arranged along the conveyor, comprising: a dispensing section that dispenses the containers in a dispensing direction; and an inter-seat transfer section that moves the dispensing section in an inter-seat movement direction that is a direction along the conveyor, and moves it in front of the seat where the dispensing is to be performed; wherein the dispensing section has a dispensing arm that pushes out plates, and a first movement mechanism that supports the dispensing arm from above and moves it in the dispensing direction; and the inter-seat transfer section has a second movement mechanism that moves the dispensing section in the inter-seat movement direction.

[0008] (2) The dispensing device described in (1) above, characterized in that the first movement mechanism has a first linear guide that guides the movement of the dispensing arm in the dispensing direction.

[0009] (3) The dispensing device described in (2) above, characterized in that the dispensing section has a frame extending in the dispensing direction that is connected to the inter-seat transfer section, and the first linear guide guides the movement of the dispensing arm along a guide rail that extends in the dispensing direction and is fixed to the frame.

[0010] (4) The dispensing device described in (1) above, characterized in that the dispensing arm moves in the dispensing direction from a waiting position where it does not interfere with the containers being transported by the conveyor to a dispensing position where it pushes the containers toward the customer seats from the conveyor, thereby dispensing the containers.

[0011] (5) The dispensing device described in (4) above, characterized in that the dispensing positions are located on both sides of the waiting position in the dispensing direction, and the dispensing section dispenses on both sides of the dispensing direction.

[0012] (6) The dispensing device described in (1) above, characterized in that the inter-seat transport section has a second linear guide that guides the movement of the dispensing section in the inter-seat movement direction.

[0013] (7) The dispensing device described in (1) above, characterized in that when a dispensing instruction signal including information specifying the seat from which dispensing is to be made is received from the conveying device, the seat-to-seat transfer unit moves the dispensing unit to the position of the seat specified in the dispensing instruction signal, and when a transport completion signal is received indicating that the conveyor has completed transporting the container in front of the specified seat, the dispensing unit dispenses the container toward the specified seat.

[0014] (8) The dispensing device described in (1) above, characterized in that the dispensing unit dispenses containers onto a waiting table located on the customer seating side of the conveyor.

[0015] (9) The dispensing device according to (8) above, characterized in that the waiting table has free rollers that support the containers while rotating in a direction along the dispensing direction.

[0016] (10) A conveying device equipped with the dispensing device described in 1 to 9 above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, a dispensing device can be provided that has a simpler device configuration and can efficiently move food and drink transported by a conveyor in a food and drink transport device toward the customer seats. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the dispensing direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the dispensing device of this embodiment, viewed from the direction of movement between customer seats. [Figure 4]1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the dispensing section 2 of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment and its surrounding configuration as viewed from the dispensing direction (as viewed in the Y-axis direction). Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment as viewed from the direction of movement between customer seats (as viewed in the X-axis direction). Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment. Note that in Fig. 1, the seats of customer seat 92 and the seats on the opposite side of the conveyor lane 70 are omitted.

[0020] The dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is installed on a conveying device that transports containers such as plates containing food and drink to designated customer seating positions using a conveyor 72 on a conveying lane 70, and is a device that automatically removes the transported food and drink from the conveyor by dispensing and moving the food and drink containers that have been transported to the front of the customer seats from the conveyor 72 toward the customer seats.

[0021] Here, the conveying device is a device that conveys food and drink ordered from customer seats arranged along the conveyor 72 to a position in front of the customer seat where the order was placed using the conveyor 72. The conveyor 72 of the conveying device is, for example, a belt conveyor. When food and drink are automatically dispensed from the conveyor 72 by the dispensing device 1, the conveying device can start transporting the next food and drink using that conveyor. In this embodiment, it is described as dispensing device 1, but it may also be a conveying device that includes the dispensing device 1.

[0022] In the following description of the embodiment, the object to be dispensed by the dispensing device 1 will be described as a plate on which food or drink is placed, as an example, but the object to be dispensed is not limited to a plate. Any container that can be transported by the transport lane 70 of the transport device and that can be pushed out by the dispensing arm 20 described below may be used. Specifically, the object may be a vessel other than a plate, a tray on which a plate or the like is placed, or a packaging container such as a disposable pack. Furthermore, food or drink itself may be dispensed as long as it can be dispensed by the dispensing arm 20.

[0023] In this embodiment, the "dispensing direction" refers to the direction in which the dispensing device 1 dispenses the plates on the conveyor 72 to the waiting table 80 on the customer seating side. The dispensing direction is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveyor 72, and is the Y-axis direction in Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the "direction of movement between seats" refers to the direction along the conveyor 72, and is the direction in which the dispensing unit 2 of the dispensing device 1 moves between seats along the conveyor 72 of the transport lane 70 by the inter-seat transfer unit 5. The direction of movement between seats is the X-axis direction in the drawings.

[0024] The components of the dispensing device 1 will now be described. The dispensing device 1 comprises a dispensing unit 2, an inter-seat transfer unit 5, a control unit 10, and the like. At the position of the seat where the dispensing operation of the dispensing device 1 is performed, a waiting table 80 from which plates are dispensed is arranged on the side of the conveyor lane 70 on the seat side. The dispensing unit 2 is a device that dispenses plates on the conveyor 72 in the dispensing direction and moves them from the conveyor 72 to the waiting table 80 on the seat side. The inter-seat transfer unit 5 is a device that moves the dispensing unit 2 in the inter-seat movement direction to the front of the seat where the dispensing operation is to be performed.

[0025] The number of positions (seats) from which the dispensing device 1 dispenses is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the dispensing unit 2 performs dispensing by moving in a piston-like manner between two adjacent seats (the seat-to-seat stroke in Figure 1). The dispensing device 1 can also dispense plates from the conveying lane 70 on the seat side on the opposite side, which is omitted in Figure 1.

[0026] The dispensing unit 2 has a dispensing arm 20, a first connecting plate 22, a first linear guide 24, a frame 28, a first timing belt 30, a first drive motor 31, and a proximity sensor 32. The first drive motor 31, the first timing belt 30, the first linear guide 24, etc. constitute a first movement mechanism that supports the dispensing arm 20 from above and moves it in the dispensing direction.

[0027] The dispensing arm 20 is a part that contacts the dish to be dispensed and pushes it out. The dispensing arm 20 moves horizontally in the dispensing direction, allowing the dish to slide from the conveyor 72 toward the waiting table 80. In this embodiment, the dispensing arm 20 is composed of a horizontal arm 20a that contacts the dish and a vertical arm 20b that supports the horizontal arm 20a. The vertical arm 20b is connected to the first movement mechanism via a first connecting plate 22. The horizontal arm 20a is made up of two plates fixed to both sides of the lower end of the vertical arm 20b in the dispensing direction. The two horizontal arms 20a on both sides allow dishes to be dispensed from the conveyor lane to customer seats on both sides in the dispensing direction. When three dishes 90 are transported as shown in FIG. 1, they can be dispensed simultaneously.

[0028] In this embodiment, horizontal arm 20a is made up of two plates as shown in Figure 3, but is not limited to this. Anything with a vertical surface that abuts against the trays may be used, for example, a rectangular prismatic tube or solid material, or a pillar material with an H-shaped cross section. In addition, while the dispensing arm 20 is shown as being capable of dispensing three trays simultaneously, this is not a limitation, and the length of horizontal arm 20a may be set appropriately depending on the number of trays to be dispensed at one time.

[0029] The first connecting plate 22 is a plate 22 for connecting the dispensing arm 20 to a mechanism for driving the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction. The upper part of the vertical arm 20b of the dispensing arm 20 is connected to the first connecting plate 22. In this embodiment, the first linear guide 24 and the first timing belt 30 included in the first movement mechanism are fixed to the first connecting plate 22.

[0030] The first linear guide 24 holds the dispensing arm 20 and other components connected thereto and guides their linear movement in the dispensing direction. The first linear guide 24 is composed of a block 24a and a guide rail 24b extending in the dispensing direction. The dispensing arm 20 can be moved linearly in the dispensing direction by the block 24a moving along the guide rail 24b. The block 24a is fixed to the first connecting plate 22. The guide rail 24b is arranged on the underside of the frame 28 along the longitudinal direction of the frame 28.

[0031] The frame 28 is a member for arranging and fixing the guide rail 24b, first timing belt 30, etc. along the dispensing direction. Each component of the dispensing unit 2 is fixedly or movably connected to the frame 28 and is moved integrally by the inter-seat transfer unit 5. A proximity sensor 32 for detecting the position of the dispensing arm 20 is disposed on the side of the frame 28. The frame 28 of this embodiment is a columnar member extending in the dispensing direction. Although the frame 28 of this embodiment is a hollow rectangular pillar, its shape and structure are not limited as long as it can accommodate the guide rail 24b and proximity sensor 32 and is strong enough to support the horizontally moving dispensing arm 20. The frame 28 is connected to the inter-seat transfer unit 5 via a second connecting plate 53, which will be described later. In addition, since the frame 28 and the first moving mechanism (such as the first timing belt 30 and guide rail 24b) fixed to the frame 28 are located on the conveyor 72, they only need to be positioned higher than the items being transported by the conveyor 72 so as not to interfere with the containers and food and drink being transported by the conveyor 72.

[0032] The first timing belt 30 is an endless rotating body that rotates due to the driving force of the first drive motor 31 and transmits the driving force to move the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction. The first timing belt 30 is fixed to the first connecting plate 22, and the driving force of the first drive motor 31 is transmitted to the block 24a, the dispensing arm 20, etc. The first timing belt 30 rotates while being stretched across a drive pulley and a driven pulley connected to the first drive motor 31. The first drive motor 31 and the drive pulley are fixed to one end of the frame 28 by a fixing bracket or the like. The driven pulley is fixed to the other end of the frame 28. This allows the dispensing arm 20 to move from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the frame 28. The first timing belt 30 is not limited to a timing belt and may be another endless rotating body (such as a V-belt or a chain). The drive pulley, etc., can be appropriately replaced with an appropriate rotating body depending on the endless rotating body used.

[0033] The first drive motor 31 is a drive source for moving the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction, and specifically rotates the first timing belt 30 as described above. The operation of the first drive motor 31 is controlled by the control unit 10. The first drive motor 31 is fixed to one end of the frame 28, but may be located in another appropriate position as long as it can transmit power to the drive pulley.

[0034] The proximity sensor 32 is a sensor for detecting the position of the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction. The proximity sensor 32 is disposed at a position corresponding to the standby position and dispensing position of the dispensing arm 20. The dispensing unit 2 can move from the standby position detected by the proximity sensor to the dispensing position to dispense plates. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the standby position is located between two parallel transport lanes 70, and the dispensing positions are located on either side of the standby position closer to the customer seats. Proximity sensors 32 are disposed at positions corresponding to these three locations. Specifically, proximity sensor 32a is disposed at the standby position, and proximity sensors 32b and 32c are disposed at the dispensing positions on both sides.

[0035] Here, the "standby position" is a position in the dispensing direction where the dispensing unit 2 does not interfere with the plates and food and drink placed on them when the plates are being transported by the conveyor 72 or when the dispensing unit 2 moves in the direction of movement between customer seats. It is also preferable that the position does not interfere with other surrounding objects. Furthermore, in order to perform a dispensing operation from the standby position and push out the plates, the "standby position" is a position farther from the customer seats in the dispensing direction than the plates being transported by the conveyor 72. In this embodiment, the standby position is set to a position midway between the two transport lanes 70, but the standby position may be set to any appropriate position as long as the above conditions are met.

[0036] The "dispensing position" is a position in the dispensing direction where the dispensing arm 20 pushes the trays on the conveyor 72 at least to a position closer to the customer seats than the conveyor 72. In this embodiment, the dispensing unit 2 dispenses to customer seats on both sides, so the "dispensing positions" are located on both sides of the standby position in the dispensing direction. The "dispensing position" may be any position where, when the dispensing arm 20 moves to the dispensing position, the tray can be moved from the conveyor 72 so that it can be transported to the next transfer, and may be closer to the standby position than the position illustrated in FIG. 3, or may be even closer to the customer seats.

[0037] Each proximity sensor 32 detects a position detection dog 34 disposed on the first connecting plate 22, thereby detecting the position of the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction. That is, when proximity sensor 32a detects dog 34, it is detected that the dispensing arm 20 is in the standby position. Similarly, when proximity sensor 32b detects dog 34, it is detected that the dispensing arm 20 is in one of the dispensing positions, and when proximity sensor 32c detects dog 34, it is detected that the dispensing arm 20 is in the other dispensing position. The control unit 10, described below, can move the dispensing arm 20 to the standby position or the dispensing position by stopping the first drive motor 31 based on the detection signal from the proximity sensor 32. Note that the proximity sensor 32 may be any sensor capable of detecting the position of the dispensing arm 20, and other sensors, such as an optical sensor, may also be used.

[0038] Next, the inter-seat transport section 5 has a second connecting plate 53, a second linear guide 54, a second timing belt 56, a second drive motor 58, and a proximity sensor 40. The second drive motor 58, the second timing belt 56, the second linear guide 54, etc. constitute a second movement mechanism that moves the dispensing section 2 in the inter-seat movement direction.

[0039] The second connecting plate 53 is a member that is placed on the upper surface of the frame 28 and connects the seat-to-seat transfer section 5 and the dispensing section 2. In this embodiment, it is in the shape of a plate, but any shape that allows for connection may be used. Also, the second connecting plate 53 may be omitted and blocks 54a, etc. may be directly fixed to the frame 28.

[0040] The second linear guide 54 holds the dispensing unit 2 connected below and guides its linear movement in the direction of movement between the seats. The second linear guide 54 is composed of a block 54a and a guide rail 54b. The block 54a engages with the guide rail 54b and moves along the guide rail 54b, allowing the dispensing unit 2 connected below the block 54a to move linearly in the direction of movement between the seats. In this embodiment, the block 54a is fixed to the second connecting plate 53 as described above. The guide rail 54b is arranged on the underside of the horizontal pillar 52 along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal pillar 52.

[0041] The second timing belt 56 is an endless rotating body that rotates due to the driving force of the second drive motor 58 and transmits the driving force to move the dispensing unit 2 in the direction of movement between the seats. The second timing belt 56 is fixed to the second connecting plate 53, and the dispensing unit 2 moves as the second timing belt 56 rotates. The second timing belt 56 is stretched over a drive pulley driven by the second drive motor 58 and a driven pulley 60, and rotates. The second drive motor 58 and the drive pulley are disposed on one end of the horizontal column 52, and the driven pulley 60 is disposed on the other end of the horizontal column 52. This allows the dispensing unit 2 to move between one end and the other end of the horizontal column 52. The second timing belt 56 is not limited to a timing belt and may be another endless rotating body such as a V-belt or a chain.

[0042] The second drive motor 58 is a drive source for moving the dispensing unit 2 in the direction of movement between seats, and specifically rotates the second timing belt 56 as described above. The operation of the second drive motor 58 is controlled by the control unit 10. The second drive motor 58 may be located in another position as appropriate, as long as it can transmit power to the drive pulley.

[0043] The proximity sensor 40 is a sensor for detecting the position of the dispensing unit 2 in the direction of movement between seats. In this embodiment, two proximity sensors 40a, 40b are arranged at positions corresponding to both ends of the stroke of the dispensing unit 2 between seats. The proximity sensors 40a, 40b detect to which of the two adjacent seats 92a, 92b along the conveyor 72 the dispensing unit 2 has moved. The proximity sensor 40 can detect the movement of the dispensing unit 2 by detecting a position detection dog 42 arranged on the second connecting plate 53.

[0044] The above-mentioned payout section 2 and inter-seat transfer section 5 are supported by horizontal pillars 52 to which guide rails 54b are fixed and two vertical pillars 50 across which the horizontal pillars 52 are hung. The two vertical pillars 50 are arranged between the two rows of transport lanes 70. Note that the support structure of the horizontal pillars 52 and vertical pillars 50 may be changed as appropriate, provided that the inter-seat transfer section 5 and payout section 2 can be supported as described above.

[0045] The waiting table 80 is a table onto which plates are dispensed by the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment and where the transported plates are temporarily held until they are picked up by a customer. The waiting table 80 is positioned at each customer seat 92 on the side of the conveyor lane 70 (conveyor 72) facing the customer seats. The waiting table 80 has a surface large enough to accommodate at least the plates dispensed by the dispensing arm 20 at one time. For example, when dispensing three plates lined up in a row as in this embodiment, the waiting table 80 has space for at least three plates. It is preferable that the height from the conveyor 72 to the waiting table 80 be the same and that there are as few steps as possible. The plate surface of the waiting table 80 may be any surface that allows plates dispensed by the dispensing arm 20 to move, such as a flat top plate. Furthermore, a structure or mechanism may be provided to further reduce dispensing resistance and allow plates to move more smoothly. For example, the surface of the waiting table 80 may be composed of conveyor rollers or may be made of a smooth material with low friction resistance.

[0046] As an example, a waiting table 80 having rollers will be specifically described. The waiting table 80 is provided with multiple rollers 82 that rotate and support the plates to reduce resistance to movement and ensure smooth movement when dispensing the plates. The rollers 82 are free rollers that rotate freely in the dispensing direction. The height of the conveying surface of the multiple rollers 82 is aligned with the top surface of the conveyor lane 70. This allows the plates 90 to move smoothly from the conveyor lane 70 onto the waiting table 80 when dispensed by the dispensing arm 20. It is preferable to provide a step or the like at the end of the waiting table 80 facing the customer seating area to prevent the moving plates 90 from falling. By dispensing from such a waiting table 80, the dispensing device 1 can more smoothly dispense plates from the conveyor 72 toward the customer seating area. The rollers 82 may be disposed on only a portion of the support surface of the waiting table 82, or only one roller 82 may be disposed instead of multiple rollers. Even if the rollers 82 are disposed on only a portion of a regular tabletop, resistance to movement during dispensing can be reduced.

[0047] The control unit 10 controls the operation of the dispensing device 1. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the movement of the dispensing unit 2 in the direction of movement between customer seats and the movement of the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction. The control unit 10 controls the first drive motor 31 based on detection signals from the proximity sensors 32 (32a, 32b, 32c), and controls the second drive motor 58 based on detection signals from the proximity sensors 40 (40a, 40b). Furthermore, the control unit 10 also communicates with the transport device (the control unit of the conveyor 72), obtains a dispensing instruction signal that instructs the dispensing of a tray, and controls the dispensing operation based on the dispensing instruction signal. Details of the operation of the dispensing device 1 controlled by the control unit 10 will be described later.

[0048] The control unit 10 includes a processor 12 and a memory 14. The processor 12 is, for example, a CPU, and executes programs stored in the memory 14 to control various operations of the dispensing device 1. The memory 14 is a storage device that stores various information, such as the control program for the dispensing device 1. Note that the control unit 10 may include an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), and some or all of the functions realized by the processor 12 executing the programs stored in the memory 14 may be realized by the ASIC.

[0049] The flow of operation of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment will now be described. First, plates 90 are transported from the kitchen side toward a customer seat by the conveyor 72 of the transport device. For example, if the destination is customer seat 92a, an operator places the plates with the ordered food and drink on the conveyor 72 in the kitchen side, performs an operation input on the operation panel of the transport device to specify the destination customer seat, and starts transport by the conveyor 72. The plates to be transported are lined up on the conveyor 72 in an appropriate arrangement according to the width of the horizontal arm 20a of the dispensing arm 20.

[0050] The conveying device then transmits a dispensing instruction signal to instruct the dispensing device 1 to dispense the plate being conveyed. The dispensing instruction signal includes customer seat designation information that designates the customer seat (the position corresponding to the seat) where dispensing is to be performed.

[0051] When the control unit 10 of the dispensing device 1 receives a dispensing instruction signal from the transport device, it controls the inter-seat transport unit 5 to move the dispensing unit 2 to a position in front of the designated seat based on the seat designation information contained in the signal. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the second drive motor 58 to move the dispensing unit 2 in the inter-seat movement direction, and when the proximity sensor 40a corresponding to the position of seat 92a detects the dog 42 of the dispensing unit 2, it stops the second drive motor 58, thereby moving the dispensing unit 2 to a position in front of the designated seat. Note that the movement of the dispensing unit 2 in the inter-seat movement direction can be performed in parallel with the transport of plates by the conveyor 72. If the dispensing unit 2 is already waiting at the designated seat position, the control unit 10 immediately transitions to control of the dispensing operation.

[0052] When the conveyor 72 has completed transporting the plate 90 to the position of the customer seat 92a, the transport device outputs a transport completion signal to the dispensing device 1 to notify it that the container has been transported in front of the designated customer seat.

[0053] When the inter-seat transport unit 5 moves the dispensing unit 2 to the position of the seat 92a specified in the dispensing instruction signal and the control unit 10 acquires a transport completion signal, it drives the first drive motor 31 to start the dispensing operation by the dispensing unit 2. The transport completion signal may be any signal that triggers the start of the dispensing operation when the transport of the plate is completed, and may, for example, be a signal that directly detects the completion of the transport of the plate by arranging a separate sensor.

[0054] After the dispensing operation has started, the control unit 10 acquires a signal from the proximity sensor 32b, and when it detects that the dispensing unit 2 has moved to the dispensing position, it stops the first drive motor 31. Through the above operation of the dispensing device 1, the dish 90 on the conveyor is pushed onto the waiting table 80 by the dispensing arm 20, and dispensing of the dish to the designated customer seat 92a is completed.

[0055] Control unit 10 drives first drive motor 31 to return dispensing unit 2 to the standby position. If control unit 10 has acquired the next dispensing instruction signal, it proceeds to control the next dispensing operation.

[0056] In addition, when the dispensing operation is completed and dispensing unit 2 returns to the standby position, control unit 10 may send a dispensing completion signal to the conveying device to notify it that it is ready to start conveying the next plate.

[0057] The above is the flow of operation of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment. According to the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, plates transported by the conveying device can be smoothly dispensed from the transport lane to the customer seating area. Unlike in the case of a system where plates are branched from the transport lane, the plates do not hit the walls of the branching path, so the food on the plates does not collapse and the plates can be moved stably. Furthermore, various numbers of plates can be dispensed simultaneously depending on the width of the horizontal arm 20a of the dispensing arm 20, allowing for efficient plate dispensing with a simple structure.

[0058] Furthermore, in the case of the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, even when plates of a shape other than circular, trays longer than circular plates, rectangular plates, etc. are conveyed along the conveying direction of the conveyor 72, they can be dispensed as long as they are within the width of the horizontal arm 20a. Dispensing is also possible even when containers of different shapes are mixed. In the case of a system that branches off from a conveying lane, the shape of the path is designed to match the size of circular plates, making it difficult to convey circular plates of a fixed size.

[0059] The movement of the dispensing unit 2 may be stopped if a hand or the like enters the movement area of ​​the dispensing unit 2 in the seat-to-seat movement direction or the movement of the dispensing arm 20 in the dispensing direction. For example, an area sensor or light curtain may be provided to detect an intrusion into the area, and the control unit 10 may stop the drive motor when an intrusion is detected. Furthermore, after detecting an intrusion and stopping the drive, the control unit 10 may resume the movement of the dispensing unit 2 when the state returns to one in which no intrusion is detected again.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the dispensing device 1 has been described as dispensing by moving the dispensing unit 2 between two adjacent seats, but this is not limited to this. The dispensing device 1 may also move between three or more seats lined up in a straight line along the conveying lane 70, dispensing to three or more seats on one side. Furthermore, although the dispensing device 1 has been described as dispensing to both sides of the conveying lane 70 in the dispensing direction, dispensing to only one side may be performed. Furthermore, when the dispensing unit 2 dispenses to both sides in the dispensing direction, the seats on both sides do not need to be positioned opposite each other, and they may be offset in the direction of movement between the seats. Dispensing at any position is possible depending on the placement of the proximity sensor 40.

[0061] In this embodiment, the case where three plates transported by the transport lane 70 are dispensed is illustrated and described, but the number of plates to be dispensed is not limited to this. Depending on the number of plates transported by the transport lane 70, only one or two plates may be dispensed.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, the customer seats 92 are described as booth seats, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be, for example, counter seats arranged along the conveyor lane 70. A waiting table 80 can be placed in front of the counter seats, and plates can be dispensed by the dispensing device 1.

[0063] Furthermore, the destination to which the dispensing device 1 dispenses from the transport lane 70 is not limited to the waiting table 80. For example, if the height of the transport lane 70 and the customer seats 92 are the same, the dispensing device 1 may dispense directly to the customer seats. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Dispensing device 2. Payment section 20 Payout arm 22 First connecting plate 24 First linear guide 28 frames 30 First timing belt 31 First drive motor 32 Proximity Sensor 40 Proximity Sensor 5. Transfer section between seats 53 Second connecting plate 54 Second linear guide 56 Second timing belt 58 Second drive motor 50 vertical column 52 Horizontal pillar 80 Waiting Table 92 Audience seats

Claims

1. A dispenser that dispenses containers containing food and drink conveyed by a conveyor of a conveying device from the conveyor to a customer seat side arranged along the conveyor, A dispensing unit that dispenses the container in a dispensing direction, and an inter-seat transfer unit that moves the dispensing unit in an inter-seat movement direction that is a direction along the conveyor and moves it in front of the seat where dispensing is to be performed, The dispensing unit includes a dispensing arm that pushes out the container, and a first moving mechanism that supports the dispensing arm from above and moves it in the dispensing direction, A dispensing device characterized in that the inter-seat transport section has a second movement mechanism that moves the dispensing section in the inter-seat movement direction.

2. 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first movement mechanism has a first linear guide that guides the movement of the dispenser arm in the dispensing direction.

3. The dispensing unit has a frame extending in the dispensing direction and connected to the seat-to-seat transfer unit, 3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the first linear guide guides the movement of the dispenser arm along a guide rail fixed to the frame and extending in the dispensing direction.

4. The dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing arm moves in the dispensing direction from a waiting position where it does not interfere with the container transported by the conveyor to a dispensing position where it pushes the container toward the customer seating side of the conveyor, thereby dispensing the container.

5. 5. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the dispense positions are located on both sides of the standby position in the dispense direction, and the dispenser performs dispenses on both sides in the dispense direction.

6. 2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the inter-seat transport section has a second linear guide that guides the movement of the dispensing section in the inter-seat movement direction.

7. When a dispense instruction signal including information specifying the seat to be dispensed is received from the conveying device, The dispensing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the inter-seat transfer unit moves the dispensing unit to the position of the seat specified in the dispensing instruction signal, and when it receives a transport completion signal indicating that the conveyor has completed transporting the container in front of the specified seat, the dispensing unit dispenses the container toward the specified seat.

8. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit dispenses the containers onto a waiting table disposed on the customer seat side of the conveyor.

9. 9. The dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the waiting table has free rollers that support the containers while rotating in the dispensing direction.

10. A conveying device comprising the dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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