Lowering conveying system

Abstract

To provide a taking away conveyance system capable of enhancing the efficiency of washing work of tableware for food and drink in a wash place.SOLUTION: A taking away conveyance system includes a taking away conveying device 7 for conveying a recovery box 22 capable of storing a plurality of pieces of tableware for food and drink from a drinking and eating customer area A side to a recovery place 30 on a kitchen area C side. The recovery box 22 can be transferred from an opening 50 at the drinking and eating customer area A side to the taking away conveying device 7. A control section 45 for controlling the drive of the taking away conveying device 7 acquires identification information given to the recovery box 22 when the recovery box 22 is transferred to the taking away conveying device 7, associates the identification information with time information showing the time when the recovery box 22 is transferred to the taking away conveying device 7, and performs control of conveying the recovery box 22 during conveyance to the recovery place 30 at the kitchen area C side in an order based on the time information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lowering and conveying system for collecting used containers on the kitchen side.

Background Art

[0002] For example, sushi restaurants called conveyor belt sushi have a circulation conveyor path through which food and drink are circulated by a crescent chain conveyor, and an order conveyor path through which individually ordered food and drink are directly conveyed, and can provide food and drink from the kitchen area to the dining customer area without the need for manual labor. Even in restaurants that do not require manual labor for the provision of food and drink, it was common for employees to return used tableware and the like to the kitchen side.

[0003] Therefore, in recent years, in the above-described food and drink conveying device, the spread of a lowering and conveying device (dish collection device) that can convey used tableware and the like after dining by diners from the dining area to the kitchen area has also advanced (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, it includes a lowering conveyor path installed without being exposed to the outside along the conveyor path, and an inlet for throwing a container containing a plurality of used dishes toward the lowering conveyor path, and the container thrown in from the inlet is sent to the kitchen side through the lowering conveyor path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-6551 (page 4, Figure 7)

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] While using the lowering conveying device described above allows for a reduction in the number of staff required for store operations, the container collection area in the kitchen is located near the washing area. The distance between this collection area and each input port varies, and the order in which containers are placed into the input port and the time they are collected at the collection area may not coincide. Dirt on dishes can become more difficult to remove over time, and it is difficult to distinguish between containers in the washing area. As a result, dishes from containers that arrived first are washed first, and dirt on dishes that have been sitting for a while can become ingrained and difficult to remove, potentially reducing the efficiency of dishwashing in the washing area.

[0006] This invention was made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a lowering and conveying system that can improve the efficiency of washing food and beverage containers in a washing area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the downward conveying system of the present invention is It is equipped with a lowering conveying device that transports a box capable of holding multiple food and beverage containers from the customer side to the collection area on the kitchen side. The aforementioned box can be transferred from the customer-side input opening to the lowering conveying device. The control unit that controls the drive of the lowering conveying device acquires identification information assigned to the box when the box is transferred to the lowering conveying device, The system is characterized by linking the aforementioned identification information with time information representing the time when the box was transferred to the lowering conveying device, and controlling the transport of the box in transit to the collection location on the kitchen side in the order based on the time information. According to this feature, the boxes containing used containers that have been transferred to the lowering conveying device are transported to the collection point in an order based on the time information of when they were transferred to the lowering conveying device. This prevents dirt from sticking to the containers and, consequently, improves the efficiency of the container washing process.

[0008] The lowering transport device comprises a plurality of lowering transport paths extending toward the dining customer side, and a collection path installed on the kitchen side where the lowering transport paths converge so that the box can be moved. The control unit is characterized by performing control to transfer the materials from the lowering transport path to the retrieval path in an order based on the time information. This feature allows for the washing process to be carried out in the appropriate order regardless of the number of lowering transport paths, by controlling the order in which items are transferred from the multiple lowering transport paths extending to the customer side to the collection path, thereby increasing the efficiency of the container washing process.

[0009] The aforementioned downward transport path is characterized by having a restricting means that, when a box is being transported upstream of an input port near a seat, restricts the input of another box from that input port into the downward transport path. This feature makes it possible to mechanically prevent subsequent boxes from overtaking boxes that have already been transferred to the same downward conveying path.

[0010] The input opening is characterized by being able to be opened and closed by a door, and the restricting means is a mechanism that locks all of the doors facing the lowering transport path. This feature allows for the physical prevention of transferring boxes to the same downward conveying path if there are boxes already placed on that path.

[0011] In the lowering transport path that restricts the insertion of other boxes, the restriction by the restricting means that restricts the unlocking of the door of the insertion opening is released based on the fact that the box already transferred to the lowering transport path has passed through the insertion opening near the first seat. This feature allows for the immediate transfer of another box once no more box overtakes occur within the same downward transport path.

[0012] The aforementioned limiting means is characterized by notifying, via a notification means installed near the seat, that a collection box can be transferred to the lowering transport path, based on the fact that a box body that has already been transferred to the lowering transport path has passed through the input opening near the seat. This feature allows for the immediate transfer of another box once no more box overtakes occur within the same transport path.

[0013] A display means is installed near the collection location, and when the identification information attached to the box is acquired, the identification information and the time information transferred to the lowering conveying device are displayed in a list on the display means. This feature allows the number of boxes transferred to the lowering conveying device and the time of transfer to be confirmed at the collection point, enabling efficient washing operations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the entire automated equipment equipped with a downward conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the circulating conveying path. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the order conveying device. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing a lowering conveying device. [Figure 4] This is an illustrative diagram showing a lowering conveying system. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the vertical positional relationship of the circulating transport path, order transport device, and lowering transport device in the dining area. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the collection box. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a dining table. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a dining table with its door open, revealing a connecting passageway through the opening. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the collection box being pushed down from the connecting passage onto the transport path. [Figure 10] This figure shows a display device with a confirmation screen.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] A mode for carrying out the lowering conveyance device according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment.

Embodiment

[0016] The lowering conveyance device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing a food service facility in which an automation facility 1, which is the lowering conveyance device of the present invention, is installed. The automation facility 1 is provided, for example, with a circulation conveyance path 2 that extends across a kitchen area (kitchen side) C where a store employee H1 cooks food and a store employee H2 performs dishwashing work, and a customer dining area (customer side) A where customers eat and drink, an order conveyance device (conveyance device) 4 (see FIG. 2), and a lowering conveyance device 7 (see FIG. 3) that is similarly provided across the kitchen area C and the customer dining area A. Note that in FIG. 1, a roof R (see FIG. 5) that is arranged above along the shape of the circulation conveyance path 2 in the customer dining area A is omitted from the illustration.

[0017] The kitchen area C and the customer dining area A are partitioned by a partition wall 3. In the customer dining area A, a circulation conveyance path 2 formed of a crescent chain conveyor that penetrates the partition wall 3 is provided in an endless shape. The circulation conveyance path 2 has an E shape in plan view.

[0018] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, in the customer dining area A, three rows of order conveyance paths 5 (5A, 5B, 5C) arranged side by side are arranged at a predetermined interval from the kitchen area C and penetrate the partition wall 3, and dining tables 8 that constitute the customer seats are provided perpendicular to these order conveyance paths 5A, 5B, 5C. Among these, dining tables 8 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the order conveyance path 5B. Also, on one side in the width direction of the order conveyance paths 5A and 5C, a customer seat counter 6 is provided along these order conveyance paths 5A and 5C.

[0019] In the circulating transport path 2, food and beverage containers such as plates are placed on the kitchen area C side, and food and beverages are circulated to each customer seat (each seat at the dining tables 8 and counter seats 6) on the customer seating area A side. The order transport paths 5A, 5B, and 5C are located close together at their ends on the kitchen area C side, and the plates, cups, etc., on which food and beverages are placed are loaded onto a vehicle (not shown) by a kitchen staff member (e.g., H1) and transported to each customer seat.

[0020] Furthermore, when food and beverage orders are received from customers in dining area A, the food and beverages are prepared in kitchen area C, placed on a mobile vehicle, and then transported to the customer's seat by order transport device 4.

[0021] The mobile unit, loaded with food and beverages, is transferred to one of the three order transport paths 5A, 5B, or 5C and travels to the customer seating area A. The plates, cups, and other containers holding the food and beverages are taken directly from the mobile unit by the customers at their seats, and the mobile unit returns to the kitchen area C after delivering the food and beverages. Alternatively, a serving tray or similar container can be placed on top of the mobile unit, and the entire tray can be removed together with the mobile unit.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the lowering and conveying device 7, which spans both the kitchen area C and the dining area A, has a plan view of shape E, along the dining tables 8 and the seating counter 6.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the lowering conveying device 7 is positioned below the circulating conveying path 2 and the order conveying device 4, following their shapes. Note that Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the order conveying path 5A, and the positional relationship between the circulating conveying path 2, the order conveying device 4, and the lowering conveying device 7 is the same for order conveying paths 5B and 5C.

[0024] Order transport paths 5A, 5B, and 5C are laid on the upper surface of a box-shaped support frame 20, and a circulating transport path 2 is laid on a support frame 21 that rises from the upper surface of the support frame 20, above the order transport paths 5A, 5B, and 5C at predetermined intervals.

[0025] Furthermore, the lowering transport path 13A, which constitutes the lowering transport device 7, is laid in the internal space S1 of the support frame 20 on which the order transport path 5A is laid. Similarly, the lowering transport paths 13B and 13C are laid in the internal space S1 of the support frame 20 below the order transport paths 5B and 5C, respectively.

[0026] The lower transport paths 13 (13A, 13B, 13C) are conveyors that extend from the kitchen area C side and can move the collection boxes 22 back and forth. As shown in Figure 3, the lower transport device 7 consists of the lower transport paths 13A, 13B, 13C and a collection conveyor (collection path) 12 that extends along the partition wall 3 below the circulating transport path 2 on the kitchen area C side. These lower transport paths 13 and the collection conveyor 12 each have a width slightly larger than the width of the collection boxes (boxes) 22 that can accommodate multiple used containers, and the collection boxes 22 that are placed with their longitudinal lengths aligned along the length of these lower transport paths 13 and the collection conveyor 12 can be transported to the collection location 30.

[0027] The recovery conveyor 12 is basically driven in one direction and is configured to transport the recovery boxes 22 to the recovery area 30 for washing, which is located near the end of one side (downstream side) in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] At the ends of the lower transport paths 13A, 13B, and 13C on the kitchen area C side, i.e., at the intersections with the recovery conveyor 12, there are standby sections 24 (24A, 24B, 24C) consisting of multiple rollers and stopper devices (not shown) that are disconnected from the drive of the conveyors 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) that constitute the transport means of each lower transport path 13A, 13B, and 13C. The standby sections 24A, 24B, and 24C are equipped with transfer rollers 27, which are transfer devices for transferring the recovery boxes 22 to the recovery conveyor 12.

[0029] The conveyor 23, which is the transport means for the lowering transport path 13, is driven by a drive motor (not shown here), which is a stepping motor or the like, and can stop the collection box 22 placed on the conveyor 23 at any position. The drive motor is controlled by a control unit 45, which consists of a computer or the like connected to the drive motor. In this embodiment, the control unit 45 is located on the kitchen area C side. The lowering transport system 46 is composed of this control unit 45, the collection conveyor 12, conveyors 23A to 23C, and buttons 35, RFID tags 31, RFID readers 36, sensors 42, sensors 42, and a displacement device 38 connected to this control unit 45.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, at each seat, the dining table 8 is positioned lower than the circulating transport path 2 and the order transport path 5A, allowing customers to easily retrieve food and beverages transported along the circulating transport path 2 and the order transport path 5A to the dining table 8.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the collection box 22 is a rectangular box-shaped body made of synthetic resin, approximately 40 cm wide, 55 cm long, and 20 cm high, with an opening at the top. An RFID tag 31 is attached to the collection box 22. The identification information provided on each collection box 22 is not limited to RFID tags; other identifiers corresponding to the combination with the reader may also be used.

[0032] The tabletop 80 of the dining table 8 is divided into a base 80b on the side facing the circulation transport path 2. This divided portion rotates around a hinge (not shown) provided on the side facing the circulation transport path 2, and forms the door 80a of the opening 50 (see Figures 8 and 9), which will be described later.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, a connecting passage S2 perpendicular to the lowering transport path 13A is formed below the tabletop 80 of the dining table 8. The connecting passage S2 communicates with the internal space S1 within the support frame 20 on which the lowering transport path 13A is laid, with an opening cross-sectional area larger than the length and height dimensions of the collection box 22. In addition, an opening 50 with an opening cross-sectional area larger than the width and length dimensions of the collection box 22 is formed above the connecting passage S2, and the collection box 22 can be placed on the bottom surface 34 of the connecting passage S2 through this opening 50.

[0034] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the passageway S2 is formed by an upward-facing U-shaped member 25 that opens upward and is perpendicular to the width direction of the support frame 20. This U-shaped member 25 is installed between the structural member 26 that supports the base 80b of the top plate 80 on the tip side of the door 80a and the support frame 20. The aforementioned opening 50 is formed by the upper opening of the U-shaped member 25.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, multiple rails 29 extend from the bottom surface 34 of the connecting passage S2 toward the downward transport path 13A, and the upper surfaces of these rails 29 are smooth. The collection box 22 is moved from the connecting passage S2 to the downward transport path 13A by being pushed toward the downward transport path 13A from its position on the rails 29 of the connecting passage S2. Here, because the upper surfaces of the rails 29 are smooth, the collection box 22 placed on the connecting passage S2 is easily slid along the connecting passage S2 to the downward transport path 13B.

[0036] Although not shown in detail, the door 80a can be rotated more than 90 degrees in the direction of the order transport path 5A and held in the flipped-up position, thereby maintaining the opening 50 in an open state. In other words, with the collection box 22 placed on the connecting passage S2, food and beverage containers can be placed into the collection box 22 from the base 80b side of the top plate 80 through the opening 50.

[0037] The openings 50 are formed in each dining table 8, allowing for cleanup work to be performed for each dining table 8. In addition, although not shown here, the customer counter 6 also has openings that can be opened and closed with one or more doors, through which the collection boxes 22 can be lowered and transferred to the transport device 7.

[0038] Furthermore, openings that can be opened and closed by doors that communicate with the lowering conveyor path 13A are also formed at the ends of the order conveying path 5A, i.e., at the ends of the support frame 20. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, openings 28 that can be opened and closed by doors (not shown) are also formed at predetermined locations in the partition wall 3 that separates the dining area A and the kitchen area C. The collection boxes 22 inserted through these openings 28 can be directly transferred to the collection conveyor 12.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, the opening 50 is normally closed by a door 80a, so that the collection boxes 22 and conveyor belt 23A passing through the connecting passage S2 and the lower transport path 13A are not visible to customers. The door 80a is also locked by a locking device (locking means) not shown.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 7 to 9, buttons 35 are installed above the support frame 20, specifically on the sides in the width direction of the order transport path 5A (5B, 5C). When a restaurant employee operates a button 35, the locking device of the door 80a that opens and closes the opening 50 is unlocked, allowing the door to be opened and closed manually. The position of the button 35 can be anywhere, and it may not be a physical button; for example, an employee could send an unlocking command to the locking device from a communication terminal they carry. This would prevent customers from operating the buttons.

[0041] Next, the procedure for using the lowering and conveying device 7 during the cleanup of customer seats after meals have finished will be explained using Figures 7 to 10. Note that, for the sake of explanation, Figures 7 to 9 omit the order conveying path and the circulation conveying path 2, and only the support frame 20 is shown.

[0042] First, when a staff member arrives at a table where a customer has finished eating (in this case, dining table 8), they press the button 35 corresponding to dining table 8. Button 35 is connected to a control unit 45 on the kitchen area C side. The control unit 45 can identify each button 35 and determines the table (for example, the table number) to which the pressed button 35 corresponds.

[0043] The control unit 45 can recognize which of the lower transport paths 13A to 13C the pressed button 35 belongs to. When a button 35 is pressed, the control unit 45 unlocks the locking device of the door 80a corresponding to that button 35, and simultaneously performs a process (unlocking prohibition process / restriction means) to prohibit the unlocking of the locking device for signals from all other buttons 35 belonging to the lower transport path 13 (in this case, lower transport path 13B) to which the pressed button 35 belongs. This unlocking prohibition process is released when certain conditions described later are met.

[0044] Furthermore, if any of the buttons 35 are pressed and the locking device is unlocked, the control unit 45 stops the conveyor 23B of the lowering transport path 13 (in this case, the lowering transport path 13B) to which the button 35 and the locking device belong.

[0045] Furthermore, each passageway S2 is equipped with an RFID reader 36 (see Figures 3 and 9), which communicates with the RFID tag 31 of the collection box 22 placed within the passageway S2 and transmits the identification information of the collection box 22 to the control unit 45.

[0046] Once the staff member confirms that the locking device has been unlocked, they open the door 80a, exposing the opening 50. Then, they insert the collection box 22 into the connecting passage S2 through the opening 50 (see Figure 8). In this embodiment, the staff member transports the collection box 22 to the dining table 8. Furthermore, the containers such as plates on the dining table 8 are described as being placed in the empty collection box 22 inserted into the connecting passage S2. Alternatively, the collection box 22 may be placed on the dining table 8, and the collection box 22, with the containers such as plates from the dining piled up inside, may be inserted into the connecting passage S2.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9, the employee then lowers the collection box 22 containing the containers from the dining table 8 out of the connecting passage S2 and pushes it onto the transport path 13B, transferring the collection box 22 to the conveyor belt 23B.

[0048] Sensors (detection means, see Figure 3) 37 are installed near the junction of the connecting passage S2 and the lowering transport path 13B. Based on the detection by these sensors 42 that the transfer of the collection box 22 to the lowering transport path 13B is complete, the control unit 45 restarts the drive of the conveyor 23B.

[0049] The control unit 45 is equipped with a memory means, and the correspondence between the identification information of the button 35, the identification information of the locking device, and the identification information of the lower transport paths (13A to 13C) is stored in advance. Furthermore, when any of the sensors 42 detects that the transfer of the collection box 22 to the lower transport path is complete, the control unit 45 stores the identification information of the sensor 42, the time information detected by the sensor 42, and the identification information of the lower transport path (13A to 13C) to which the sensor 42 belongs, linked together.

[0050] The control unit 45 lowers the collection box 22 and transports it to the kitchen area C side of the transport path 13B, transfers it from the end of the conveyor 23B to the waiting unit 24B, and operates a stopper (not shown) to restrict the movement of the collection box 22, causing it to wait in the waiting unit 24B.

[0051] Next, if the control unit 45 confirms that there are no other collection boxes 22 waiting in the other standby units 24A, 24C and no other collection boxes 22 being transported along the other downward transport paths 13A, 13C, it releases the movement restriction imposed by the stopper installed in standby unit 24B and drives the transfer roller 27, which is a transfer device, to transfer the collection box 22 that was waiting in standby unit 24B to the collection conveyor 12.

[0052] On the other hand, if there are other collection boxes 22 waiting in other standby units 24A, 24C, or if there are collection boxes 22 being transported on other downward transport paths 13A, 13C, the control unit 45 controls the transfer of collection boxes 22 to the collection conveyor 12 in order from oldest to newest based on the time information of the collection boxes 22 currently waiting in standby units 24A, standby units 24B, 24C, and collection boxes 22 being transported on downward transport paths 13A, 13B, 13C. In other words, the control unit 45 places the collection box 22 associated with the oldest time information that has not yet been collected at the collection position at the leading end of the collection conveyor 12 on the collection position side (downstream side), and then sequentially arranges the collection boxes 22 upstream from there in order based on the time information (arrangement process).

[0053] Furthermore, in response to a request to unlock the door 80a of the opening 50, which allows the collection boxes 22 to be directly transferred from the dining area A to the collection conveyor 12, the control unit 45 performs a process that enables unlocking only when there are no collection boxes 22 being transported on any of the lower transport paths 13A, 13B, and 13C, and when there are no collection boxes 22 waiting in any of the standby units 24A, 24B, and 24C.

[0054] Furthermore, when the control unit 45 receives identification information for an RFID tag 31 from any of the RFID readers 36, it stores the identification information of the RFID tag 31, the location information (identification information) of the RFID reader 36, and the identification information of the lower transport path to which the RFID reader 36 belongs, linking them together. In addition, the control unit 45 displays the stored correspondence information as a confirmation screen 39, which will be described later, on a display device (display device) 38 installed near the collection area 30 in the kitchen area C.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, the display device 38 shows a confirmation screen 39 that allows the user to check the current status of the collection boxes 22, which have been transferred from the dining area A to the lowering transport device 7 and are waiting in line for washing at the collection location 30.

[0056] The confirmation screen 39 displays a list of the order in which the items are sent to the collection location, the identification information of the RFID tag 31, the time information when the sensor 42 detected that the transfer of the collection box 22 to the lower transport path was complete, the location information of the RFID reader 36, i.e., the seat information, and the identification information of the lower transport path to which the RFID reader 36 belongs.

[0057] The control unit 45 arranges the collection boxes 22 on the collection conveyor 12 in order from oldest to newest based on time information, and this arrangement order is consistent with the order displayed on the confirmation screen 39.

[0058] The store clerk removes the collection boxes 22 one by one from the collection conveyor belt 12, which has been transported to the end of the collection area 30 (downstream side), and moves them to the washing area, which is the collection area 30, and performs the washing work. When the store clerk removes the collection box 22 from the end of the collection conveyor belt 12 to the washing area, they select the "Collected" button 41 displayed at the top of the confirmation screen 39, in this case next to the number "1". On the confirmation screen 39, the displays are arranged in the order in which they will be sent to the collection area 30. After the collection boxes 22 are removed from the collection conveyor belt 12 to the washing area, when the "Collected" button 41 displayed for each box is selected by the store clerk, the selected row is darkened, the order moves up, and the display is updated.

[0059] The display device 38 can communicate with the control unit 45, and upon receiving notification that the collected button 41 has been selected by the store clerk, the control unit 45 drives the collection conveyor 12 and transports the oldest collection box 22 at that time to the front of the collection conveyor 12.

[0060] As described above, when the door unlocking button 35 is pressed on the dining table 8, the control unit 45 permits the unlocking of the locking device of the door 80a corresponding to the button 35, and also performs an unlocking prohibition process for signals from all other buttons 35 belonging to the lower transport path 13 to which the button 35 belongs.

[0061] The conditions for releasing the unlocking prohibition process are as follows: after the locking device of any door 80a is unlocked, and the drive of the conveyor 23 is restarted based on detection by the sensor 42 near the confluence point of the connecting passage S2 and the lower transport path 13, the door 80a is closed and automatically locked, and the drive of the conveyor 23 on the lower transport path 13 to which the door 80a belongs has stopped, that is, the collection box 22 has arrived at the downstream end of the conveyor 23, at which point the control unit 45 releases the unlocking prohibition process for signals from all other buttons 35 belonging to the lower transport path 13.

[0062] Although not shown in the diagram, the button 35 has a built-in light source such as an LED, and the control unit 45 makes the button 35 that is in the unlocking prevention state flash red, and the button 35 that is in the unlocking prevention state, i.e., the state where the unlocking prevention state has been released, lights up blue (notification means). In other words, the notification means of the button 35 makes it immediately clear to the store clerk that unlocking is possible, or in other words, that the collection box 22 can be inserted through the opening 50, allowing for efficient transfer of the collection box 22.

[0063] In other words, the control unit 45 prevents other buttons from unlocking doors 80a while one door is unlocked on a single lower transport path 13, thereby preventing the order of the collection boxes 22 from changing on the lower transport path 13 and preventing the collection boxes 22 from interfering with each other.

[0064] In this manner, the control unit 45 of the lowering transport system 46 acquires identification information assigned to the collection box 22 when the collection box 22 is transferred to the lowering transport device 7, stores this identification information in association with time information representing the time the collection box 22 was transferred to the lowering transport path 13, and controls the transport of the collection box 22 in transit to the collection location 30 in the kitchen area C in the order based on the time information. As a result, the collection box 22 containing the used containers that have been transferred to the lowering transport device 7 are transported to the collection location 30 in the order based on the time information of the transfer to the lowering transport device 7, thereby suppressing the adhesion of dirt to the containers and improving the efficiency of the container washing work.

[0065] Furthermore, multiple lowering transport paths 13 extend to the dining area A, and each converges with a collection conveyor 12 installed on the kitchen area C, allowing for the transfer of collection boxes 22. The control unit 45 controls the transfer from the lowering transport paths 13 to the collection conveyor 12 in an order based on time information. This allows for the washing operation to be performed in an appropriate order regardless of the number of lowering transport paths 13, thereby increasing the efficiency of the container washing operation.

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 45 restricts the insertion of another collection box 22 into the lowering transport path 13 through the opening 50 facing the lowering transport path 13 while the collection box 22 is being transported. This mechanically prevents a new collection box 22 from overtaking an old collection box 22 within the same lowering transport path 13.

[0067] The opening 50 can be opened and closed by the door 80a, and if there is a collection box 22 already transferred to the lowering transport path 13, it is possible to physically prevent another collection box 22 from being transferred.

[0068] A display device 38 installed near the collection area 30 displays a list of identification information assigned to the collection boxes 22 and time information for when they were transferred to the lowering conveying device 7. This allows the collection area 30 to check the number of collection boxes 22 transferred to the lowering conveying device 7 and the time information for which they were transferred, enabling efficient washing operations.

[0069] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and additions and modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included.

[0070] For example, the time information used in the control to transport the items to the collection location 30 is not limited to time information representing the time when the collection box 22 is transferred to the lower transport path 13. For example, the time information may be the time when the collection box 22 is transferred to the collection conveyor 12, and the control may be performed to transport the collection box 22 to the collection location 30 in the kitchen area C in an order based on this time information.

[0071] Alternatively, the connecting passage S2 below the dining table 8 may be omitted, and the table may be directly transferred from the opening to the conveyor 23 of the lower transport path 13. In this case, sensors (detection means) 37 are provided near the junction of the opening and the lower transport path 13.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the order in which items are transferred from the waiting sections 24A to 24C of the lowering transport paths 13A to 13C to the recovery conveyor 12 is described based on time information. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the order in which items are transferred from the lowering transport paths 13A to 13C to the recovery conveyor 12 may not be controlled, and instead, a drive means such as a lifting device or an arm may be used to rearrange the order of the multiple recovery boxes 22 on the recovery conveyor 12 based on time information.

[0073] Alternatively, by adopting a structure similar to a robotic arm, the collection conveyor 12 can be omitted, and the collection boxes 22 can be directly transferred from the lower transport path 13 to the collection location 30. Furthermore, by making the collection conveyor 12 multi-tiered vertically, many collection boxes 22 can be held and transferred to the collection location 30.

[0074] Furthermore, the RFID reader 36 is not limited to installation in the connecting passage S2, but is not restricted to any other location in the lowering conveyor 7. For example, it may be installed at various points along the collection conveyor 12 outside of the connecting passage S2. This would allow the location of the collection boxes 22 along the collection conveyor 12 to be determined, and by specifying a collection box 22, the collection box 22 and the containers contained within it can be viewed with a camera.

[0075] Furthermore, the collection box 22 may be visibly marked with the identification information of the RFID tag 31 and corresponding numbering. In this case, the identification information of the RFID tag 31 is converted into the numbering and displayed on the confirmation screen 39. This allows the store clerk to visually check the numbering of the collection box 22 they have taken out to the collection location 30, thereby confirming that the order in which they took out the collection boxes 22 matches the list displayed on the confirmation screen 39.

[0076] Furthermore, by installing an RFID reader 36 at the collection location 30, the collection button 41 on the confirmation screen 39 can be omitted. In this case, the identification information of the collection box 22 taken out at the collection location 30 is automatically identified, the update of the display list on the confirmation screen 39 is automated, and human error can be prevented. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1. Automated equipment 2. Circular transport path 3 Bulkhead 4. Order handling device 5A~C Order transport route 6. Seating Counter 7. Conveying device 8 dining tables 11. Running body 12. Recovery conveyor (recovery route) 13A~C Lowering conveyor path 20 support slots 21 Support frame (illustrated) 22 Collection Boxes 23A~C Conveyor 24A~C Standby section 30 Collection locations 31 RFID tags 34. Bottom surface change 35 buttons 36 RFID readers 38 Display device (display means) 39 Confirmation screen 42 sensors 43 Camera Map Screen 45 Control Unit 46. ​​Lowering conveying system 50 Opening (inlet) 80 Top plate 80a The door A Dining area C Kitchen Area S1 interior space S2 communication path

Claims

1. It is equipped with a lowering conveying device that transports a box capable of holding multiple food and beverage containers from the customer side to the collection area on the kitchen side. The aforementioned box can be transferred from the customer-side input opening to the lowering conveying device. The control unit that controls the drive of the lowering conveying device acquires identification information assigned to the box when the box is transferred to the lowering conveying device, A lowering conveying system characterized by linking the aforementioned identification information with time information representing the time when the box was transferred to the lowering conveying device, and controlling the conveying of the box in transit to the collection location on the kitchen side in the order based on the time information.

2. The lowering transport device comprises a plurality of lowering transport paths extending toward the dining customer side, and a return path installed on the kitchen side where the lowering transport paths converge in a manner that allows the container to be moved. The lowering transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit performs control to transfer the load from the lowering transport path to the recovery path in an order based on the time information.

3. The lowering transport system according to claim 2, further characterized in that, when a box is being transported upstream of an input port near a seat in the lowering transport path, the system includes a restricting means to restrict the input of another box from the input port to the lowering transport path.

4. The lowering conveying system according to claim 3, characterized in that the input opening is openable and closable by a door, and the restricting means is a mechanism for locking all of the doors facing the lowering conveying path.

5. The lowering transport system according to claim 4, characterized in that, in the lowering transport path which restricts the insertion of another box, the restriction by the restricting means which restricts the unlocking of the door of the insertion opening is released based on the fact that the box already transferred to the lowering transport path has passed through the insertion opening near the first seat.

6. The lowering transport system according to claim 3, characterized in that the limiting means notifies, via a notification means installed near the seat, that another box can be transferred to the lowering transport path based on the fact that a box already transferred to the lowering transport path has passed through the input opening near the seat.

7. The lowering conveying system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a display means is installed near the collection location, and when identification information attached to the box is acquired, the identification information and the time information transferred to the lowering conveying device are displayed in a list on the display means.

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