Food and drink providing system

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a first food material preparation device that automatically places, in accordance with order information of a sushi, a first food material (sushi rice or rice processed for warship rolls) on a dish to be sent to a cooking place in a kitchen; and a second food material preparation device that is disposed downstream of the first food material preparation device and that automatically prepares, in accordance with the order information, a second food material (sushi ingredients or ingredients for warship rolls) in the cooking place.

Description

Food and beverage supply system

[0001] The present invention relates to a food and drink serving system.

[0002] JP2022-164341A discloses a sushi serving device that forms rice balls for ordered sushi based on order information and displays the details of the order information (such as the type of sushi) on a display unit located in the cooking area.

[0003] According to the sushi serving device of JP2022-164341A, the employees (store staff) who cook in the cooking area can refer to the order information displayed on the display unit and prepare the sushi from the prepared rice balls. However, when it comes to attaching the sushi toppings to the rice balls (cooking), the store staff must personally search for and retrieve the sushi toppings corresponding to the order information from a designated storage location. This can lead to variations in the actual cooking time depending on the store staff's level of expertise, which can lead to reduced sushi serving efficiency.

[0004] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a food and drink supply system that can improve the efficiency of supplying food and drink in a store.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food and beverage serving system that assists in the preparation of food and beverages to be placed on plates while transporting the plates within a kitchen, and includes a first ingredient preparation device that automatically places a first ingredient on a plate sent to a cooking area within the kitchen in accordance with food and beverage order information, and a second ingredient preparation device that is positioned downstream of the first ingredient preparation device and automatically prepares a second ingredient in the cooking area in accordance with the order information.

[0006] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a food and drink providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a neta pack preparing device. Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a customer seat side transport device. Fig. 4 is a block diagram explaining the configuration of a control device. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of a rice removing device control unit and a neta pack preparing device control unit. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the food and drink providing system.

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one aspect of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiment described below is assumed to be a restaurant that mainly serves sushi as food and drink, but it can also be appropriately adopted in restaurants that serve food and drink other than sushi (rice bowls such as udon, fried chicken, tempura, ramen, yakiniku, etc.).

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a food and drink providing system 10 according to this embodiment. The food and drink providing system 10 is configured as a system that distributes and delivers plates carrying food and drink (particularly sushi or gunkan) prepared in multiple kitchens K1, K2 (two in Fig. 1) located within a store to each customer seat. Note that each customer seat in this embodiment is a row of multiple customers seats C (six in Fig. 4) shown in Fig. 4, which will be described later. １１ , C １２ , C ２１ , C ２２ , C ３１ , C ３２ , and each individual table C included therein １１１ ~C １１４ , C １２１ ~C １２４ , C ２１１ ~C ２１４ , C ２２１ ~C ２２４ , C ３１１ ~C ３１４ , C ３２１ ~C ３２４ Assume the following.

[0009] Specifically, the food and beverage serving system 10 has a first kitchen conveyor 12, a second kitchen conveyor 32, a customer seating side transport device (such as a branch conveyor 14), and a control device 100.

[0010] The first kitchen conveyor 12 is configured as a belt conveyor that transports plates D, supplied to its downstream end (base end) by a device (not shown) or store staff, within the kitchen, and places cooked sushi on the plates during the transport process and supplies them to the branch conveyor 14. In particular, the first kitchen conveyor 12 in this embodiment is made up of individually driven conveyor units 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and 12e.

[0011] Conveyor unit 12a is a unit that sends plates D supplied to its downstream end to conveyor unit 12b via sushi rice placement device 21 and first cooking area K1 (sushi pack preparation device 22). Conveyor unit 12a is configured so that it can be switched between driving and stopping by operating manual switch sw1.

[0012] The rice-mounting device 21 is a device that automatically forms rice balls of a shape and size suitable for the subsequent cooking process (attaching of sushi toppings) onto empty plates D supplied to the conveyor unit 12a.

[0013] The ingredient pack preparation device 22 is positioned opposite the first kitchen K1 (cooking staff O1) via the conveyor unit 12a. The ingredient pack preparation device 22 prepares ingredient packs P1, each containing a plurality of sushi ingredients included in the multiple sushi menus offered at the restaurant, in front of the cooking staff O1.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the ingredient pack preparation device 22. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the schematic structure as viewed from the direction of the dashed arrow X shown in Fig. 2. In the following, for simplicity, ingredient pack P1 and ingredient pack P2, which will be described later, will be collectively referred to as "ingredient pack P" as appropriate. As shown in the figure, the ingredient pack preparation device 22 includes a pack placement table 52, a pack storage 54, and a pack exchange device 56.

[0015] The pack placement table 52 is arranged in a position close to the first kitchen K1 (in front of the cooking staff O1) and is configured as a table (stage) on which a specified number (three in the figure) of ingredient packs P can be arranged (placed) in parallel in front of the cooking staff O1. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, as an example, ingredient packs P stored in predetermined storage positions in the pack storage 54 are placed on the pack placement table 52. （４１） , P （２２） , P （１３）The figure shows the state in which the ingredients are placed on the pack placement table 52. This allows the cooking staff O1 to remove the sushi ingredients from the ingredient pack P1 placed on the pack placement table 52 without moving from his own work position when attaching the ingredients. By adopting the positional relationship between the first kitchen K1 (cooking staff O1) and the ingredient pack preparation device 22 shown in FIG. 1, the work of supplying sushi ingredients to the ingredient pack P1 prepared in front of the cooking staff O1 can be performed from the opposite side of the ingredient pack preparation device 22 from the cooking staff O1's position. Therefore, the work of supplying sushi ingredients can be performed without overlapping with the movement of the cooking staff O1 as he attaches the ingredients.

[0016] The pack storage 54 stores a plurality of packs P each containing different types of sushi ingredients. （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） In addition, in the pack storage 54, each material pack P （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） ..., and an address A to uniquely identify them. （１１） , A （１２） ...A （ｉｊ） . . is added, and the address A （ｉｊ） is stored in a predetermined storage area accessible by the control device 100.

[0017] The pack storage 54 may be provided with a refrigeration or freezing function in consideration of preserving the sushi ingredients. （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） ... may be provided with a supply port for supplying sushi ingredients from the outside. （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） ... may contain the same type of sushi ingredients in multiple sets. （１１） , P （１２） The pack P holds one type of sushi topping (for example, tuna). （１３） , P （１４）It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which other types of sushi ingredients (e.g., yellowtail) are held.

[0018] The pack exchange device 56 exchanges the ingredients packs P stored in the pack storage 54. （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） ... and replace it with the neta pack P placed on the pack placement table 52. More specifically, the pack exchange device 56 is composed of a drive device 56a, a casing 56b that is driven by the drive device 56a to move in the vertical and horizontal directions (toward the front and back of the paper in FIG. 2), an arm 56c that is attached so as to be extendable and contractible relative to the casing 56b, and a pack support plate 56d that is attached to the tip of the arm 56c.

[0019] In particular, under the command of the control device 100, the pack exchange device 56 causes the drive device 56a to move up and down and left and right while extending and retracting the arm 56c, thereby returning the ingredient pack P placed on the pack placement table 52 to a storage position specified by the address A of the ingredient pack P in the pack storage 54. For example, if there are three ingredient packs P on the pack placement table 52, （４１） , P （２２） , P （１３） With the neta pack P placed （４１） Wo Neta Pack P （１１） When exchanging the neta pack P, the pack exchange device 56 （４１） , address A in the pack repository 54 （４１） After returning it to the storage location specified by address A （１１） From the storage location specified by （１１） Take out (pick up) the material pack P （１１） The neta pack P on the pack placement table 52 （４１） The address A of each ingredient pack P (a pack taken out of the pack storage 54) placed on the pack placement table 52 is stored in a predetermined storage area accessible by the control device 100.

[0020] When the predetermined number of plates D with sushi rice (three in the figure) have been delivered to the first cooking area K1, the cooking staff O1 operates the manual switch sw1 to stop the conveyor unit 12a, and then takes out sushi ingredients from each prepared ingredient pack P and places them on the sushi rice on the plates D (three plates D in the figure) stopped in front of the first cooking area K1. The cooking staff O1 can understand the order details by referring to the display on a display device (not shown) installed near the first cooking area K1, for example.

[0021] Furthermore, when the cooking staff O1 operates the manual switch sw1 again after completing the topping, the conveyor unit 12a is driven and the plate D1 on which the topping has been added (the plate D1 on which the cooked sushi is placed) is sent to the conveyor unit 12b.

[0022] The conveyor unit 12b is configured as a belt conveyor unit whose upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the conveyor unit 12a and whose downstream end is connected to (merges with) the upstream end of the conveyor unit 12c.

[0023] An RFID writer 24 is also provided near the upstream end of the conveyor unit 12b. The RFID writer 24 detects the arrival of a plate D1 carrying cooked sushi in the first cooking area K1 and writes specific plate information to the plate D1 (more specifically, to an RF tag embedded in the plate D1). In this embodiment, the concept of writing plate information to the plate D1 (or plate D2, described below) includes not only writing the plate information in an information writing area, such as an RF tag embedded in the plate D1 or D2 itself, but also writing the plate information in an information writing area on an accessory (e.g., a cover for the sushi or gunkan) attached to the plate D1 or D2 and transported together with the plate D1 or D2 (sushi or gunkan). The same concept applies to reading plate information from the plate D1, plate D1', or plate D2, described below.

[0024] Furthermore, the upstream end of conveyor unit 12d is connected to conveyor unit 12b at a position (hereinafter referred to as "branching point B") downstream of RFID writer 24. That is, in this embodiment, the transport path for plate D1 branches off at branching point B.

[0025] In addition, a conveying path switch 13 is provided at branching section B. Conveying path switch 13 is configured as a movable lever that can be switched between a first position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) in which plate D1 is guided from conveyor unit 12b to conveyor unit 12d, and a second position (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1) in which the conveying path for plate D1 remains on conveyor unit 12b.

[0026] The conveyor unit 12c is configured as a curved belt conveyor unit whose upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the conveyor unit 12b and whose downstream end is connected to (merged with) the conveyor unit 12e.

[0027] The conveyor unit 12d is configured as a belt conveyor unit whose upstream end is connected to the conveyor unit 12b (branched from the conveyor unit 12b) and whose downstream end is connected to the second cooking area K2. Note that the conveyor unit 12d in this embodiment is formed in a curved shape from the conveyor unit 12b toward the automatic roaster 23.

[0028] The automatic griller 23 is a device for performing an additional cooking process (grilling) on ​​the sushi toppings attached to the rice in the first cooking area K1. In particular, the automatic griller 23 is configured as a device that automatically grills the sushi placed on the plates D1 that are sequentially transported via the conveyor unit 12d under the command of the control device 100.

[0029] The conveyor unit 12e is configured as a belt conveyor unit whose upstream end is connected to the automatic roaster 23 and whose downstream end is connected to the branch conveyor 14. The conveyor unit 12e also includes a lower branch conveyor 14. ｄAn RFID reader 26 is provided upstream of the connection to the first cooking area K1. The RFID reader 26 detects the arrival of a plate D1 that has been cooked only (with toppings) in the first cooking area K1 or a plate D1' that has been cooked in addition to searing, and reads the plate information recorded on the plate D1 (plate D1') by an RFID writer 24.

[0030] Furthermore, the downstream end of the conveyor unit 12d is connected to the conveyor unit 12e at a position upstream of the RFID writer 24 (hereinafter referred to as the "junction J"). As a result, the plates D1 that have only been cooked in the first cooking area K1 and the plates D1' that have also been grilled are joined together and fed to the lower branch conveyor 14. ｄ will be sent to.

[0031] Therefore, in the first kitchen conveyor 12 of this embodiment, the path consisting of conveyor units 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12e functions as a first transport path that leads directly from the first cooking area K1 to the branch conveyor 14. In addition, the path consisting of conveyor units 12a, 12b, 12d, and 12e functions as a second transport path that connects the first cooking area K1 to the branch conveyor 14 via the automatic roaster 23, which is an additional cooking area.

[0032] The second kitchen conveyor 32 is configured as a belt conveyor that transports plates D supplied to its downstream end (base end) by a device (not shown) or store staff within the kitchen, and carries cooked gunkan during the transport process and supplies them to the branch conveyor 14. In particular, the second kitchen conveyor 32 in this embodiment is configured by conveyor units 32a and 32b that are driven individually.

[0033] Conveyor unit 32a is a unit that sends plates D supplied to its downstream end to conveyor unit 32b via gunkan sushi rice placing device 41 and first kitchen K1 (neta pack preparation device 22). Conveyor unit 32a is configured so that it can be switched between driving and stopping by operating manual switch sw2.

[0034] The gunkan sushi rice placing device 41 is a device that automatically forms sushi rice balls of a shape and size suitable for the subsequent cooking process (attaching gunkan toppings) onto plates D supplied to the conveyor unit 32a, and automatically wraps seaweed around the sushi rice balls to produce gunkan sushi rice.

[0035] The gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 is disposed in a position facing the second kitchen K2 (cooking staff O2) via the conveyor unit 32a. The gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 is a device that prepares ingredient packs P2, each containing a plurality of gunkan ingredient types included in a plurality of gunkan menu items offered at the restaurant, in front of the cooking staff O2. The specific configuration of the gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 is the same as the configuration of the ingredient pack preparation device 22 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

[0036] This allows cooking staff O2 to remove the gunkan sushi ingredients from the ingredient pack P2 from his own working position and attach them to the gunkan rice on plate D. By adopting the positional relationship between the second kitchen K2 (cooking staff O2) and the gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 shown in Figure 1, the work of supplying gunkan sushi ingredients to the ingredient pack P2 prepared in front of cooking staff O2 can be done from the opposite side of the gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 from cooking staff O2's position. Therefore, the work of supplying gunkan sushi ingredients can be performed without overlapping with the flow of cooking staff O2 attaching the ingredients.

[0037] When the predetermined number of plates D (three in the figure) carrying sushi rice are delivered to the second kitchen K2, the cook O2 operates the manual switch sw2 to stop the conveyor unit 32a and places the gunkan sushi rice according to the order on the plates D stopped in front of the second kitchen K2. The cook O2 can understand the order by referring to the display on a display device (not shown) installed near the second kitchen K2, for example.

[0038] Furthermore, when the cooking staff member O2 operates the manual switch sw2 again after completing the topping, the conveyor unit 32a is driven and the plate D2 on which the topping has been added (plate D2 with cooked sushi on it) is sent to the conveyor unit 32b.

[0039] The conveyor unit 32b conveys the plate D2 carrying the gunkan after cooking in the second cooking area K2 from the second cooking area K2 to the branch conveyor 14 (particularly the upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ More specifically, the conveyor unit 32b has an upstream end connected to the downstream end of the conveyor unit 32a, and a downstream end connected to the upper branch conveyor 14. ｕ The conveyor unit 32b is configured as a belt conveyor unit connected to the RFID writer 44 and the RFID reader 46, which are provided in this order from the upstream side.

[0040] The RFID writer 44 is a device that detects the arrival of a plate D2 carrying a cooked gunkan in the second kitchen K2 and writes predetermined plate information onto the plate D2 (more specifically, onto an RF tag embedded in the plate D2). The information written onto the plate D2 by the RFID writer 44 includes, for example, an ID for uniquely identifying the plate D2, product information indicating the type (item) of the product (gunkan), and a table ID for identifying the seat (individual table) to which the product will be served. The RFID reader 46 detects the passage of the plate D2, reads the information recorded on the plate D by the RFID writer 44, and transmits it to the control device 100.

[0041] Next, the passenger seat side transport device including the branch conveyor 14 will be described in detail.

[0042] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the seat-side conveying device. As shown in FIG. 4, the seat-side conveying device of this embodiment includes a branch conveyor 14 and each pair of upper seat conveyors R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ and each lower seat conveyor pair R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ It is composed of the following:

[0043] The branch conveyors 14 of this embodiment are arranged one above the other, and are an upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ and the lower branch conveyor 14 ｄ It has.

[0044] Upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ is connected to the terminal position of the second kitchen conveyor 32 (more specifically, the downstream end of the conveyor unit 32b) and １１ , C １２ , seat row C ２１ , C ２２ , and audience row C ３１ , C ３２ In particular, the upper branch conveyor 14 is configured as a belt conveyor having a conveying path that branches off individually toward the entrance of the upper branch conveyor 14. ｕ is the first upper conveying path 14a ｕ and the second upper conveying path 14b ｕ and the third upper conveying path 14c ｕ and,

[0045] First upper transport path 14a ｕ is the distance from the end position of the second kitchen conveyor 32 to the seat row C １１ , C １２ Entrance (more specifically, upper seating conveyor belt R １ｕ The second upper conveying path 14b is configured as a conveyor area that directly connects to the base end of the second upper conveying path 14b. ｕ is the distance from the end position of the second kitchen conveyor 32 to the seat row C ２１ , C ２２ Entrance (more specifically, upper seating conveyor belt R ２ｕ The third upper conveying path 14c is configured as a conveyor area that directly connects to the base end of the third upper conveying path 14c. ｕ is the distance from the end position of the second kitchen conveyor 32 to the seat row C ３１ , C ３２ Entrance (more specifically, upper seating conveyor belt R ３ｕ The upper conveying path 14a is configured as a conveyor area that directly connects to the base end of the upper conveying path 14a. ｕ , 14b ｕ , 14c ｕEach upper conveying path 14a is configured with a plurality of conveyor units that can be individually switched between driving and stopping. This allows the conveying status of the plates D2 (such as whether there is a local congestion of plates D2) to be taken into consideration. ｕ , 14b ｕ , 14c ｕ The conveyance and stopping of the tray D2 can be adjusted partially above.

[0046] In addition, the upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ At the portion where the second kitchen conveyor 32 is connected to the terminal position, a first upper stage path switch 16 ｕ The first upper stage path switch 16 is provided. ｕ The tray D2 is conveyed to the first upper conveying path 14a. ｕ a first position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4) for guiding the tray D2 to the second upper conveying path 14b; ｕ (Third upper conveying path 14c ｕ 4), and a second position (position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 4) that guides the lever to the first position.

[0047] Furthermore, the upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ The second upper stage path switch 17 ｕ The second upper stage path switcher 17 is provided. ｕ Plate D2 is placed on the upper seat conveyor R ２ｕ a first position (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 4) for guiding the tray D2 to the third upper conveying path 14c; ｕ a first position (position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4) which guides the pressure sensor 10 to the first position; and a second position (position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4) which guides the pressure sensor 10 to the first position.

[0048] Lower branch conveyor 14 ｄ is connected to the end position of the first kitchen conveyor 12 (more specifically, the downstream end of the conveyor unit 12e) and １１ , C １２ , seat row C ２１ , C ２２ , and audience row C ３１ , C ３２ In particular, the lower branch conveyor 14 is configured as a belt conveyor having a conveying path that branches off individually toward the entrance of the lower branch conveyor 14. ｄ is the first lower conveying path 14a ｄand the second lower conveying path 14b ｄ and the third lower conveying path 14c ｄ and,

[0049] First lower transport path 14a ｄ is the distance from the end position of the first kitchen conveyor 12 to the seat row C １１ , C １２ Entrance (more specifically, the lower seating conveyor belt R １ｄ The second lower conveying path 14b is configured as a conveyor area that directly connects to the base end of the second lower conveying path 14b. ｄ is the distance from the end position of the first kitchen conveyor 12 to the seat row C ２１ , C ２２ Entrance (more specifically, the lower seating conveyor belt R ２ｄ The third lower conveying path 14c is configured as a conveyor area that directly connects to the base end of the third lower conveying path 14c. ｄ is the distance from the end position of the first kitchen conveyor 12 to the seat row C ３１ , C ３２ Entrance (more specifically, the lower seating conveyor belt R ３ｄ The lower conveying path 14a is configured as a conveyor area that directly connects to the base end of the lower conveying path 14a. ｄ , 14b ｄ , 14c ｄ Each lower conveying path 14a is configured with a plurality of conveyor units that can be individually switched on and off. This allows the conveying status of the plate D1 or plate D'1 to be taken into consideration (such as whether there is a local congestion of the plate D1 or plate D'1). ｄ , 14b ｄ , 14c ｄ The conveyance and stopping of the tray D1 or the tray D'1 can be adjusted partially above.

[0050] In addition, the lower branch conveyor 14 ｄ At the portion where the first kitchen conveyor 12 is connected to the end position, a first lower stage path switch 16 is provided. ｄ The first lower stage path switch 16 is provided. ｄ The tray D1 or the tray D'1 is conveyed to the third lower conveying path 14c. ｄ a first position (position indicated by a solid line in the drawing) for guiding the tray D1 or the tray D'1 to the first lower conveying path 14a; ｄ (Second lower conveying path 14b ｄ) and a second position (position shown by the dotted line in the figure) that guides the lower branch conveyor 14. ｄ The second lower stage path switch 17 ｄ The second lower stage path switch 17 is provided. ｄ The tray D1 or D'1 is conveyed to the lower seat conveyor R ２ｄ a first position for guiding the tray D1 or the tray D'1 to the first lower conveying path 14a; ｄ and a second position that guides the lever to the first position.

[0051] Each upper seat conveyor pair R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ and each lower seat conveyor pair R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ are arranged one above the other.

[0052] More specifically, the upper seating conveyor R １ｕ is seating row C １１ Each individual table C included in １１１ ~C １１４ and seating row C. １２ Each individual table C included in １２１ ~C １２４ The upper seat conveyor pair R ２ｕ is seating row C ２１ Each individual table C included in ２１１ ~C ２１４ and seating row C. ２２ Each individual table C included in ２２１ ~C ２２４ and a belt conveyor extending along the upper seating area. ３ｕ is seating row C ３１ Each individual table C included in ３１１ ~C ３１４ and seating row C. ３２ Each individual table C included in ３２１ ~C ３２４and a belt conveyor extending along the

[0053] Each lower seat conveyor pair R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ is the upper seat conveyor pair R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ It has the same structure as

[0054] In addition, each individual table C １１１ ~C １１４ , C １２１ ~C １２４ , C ２１１ ~C ２１４ , C ２２１ ~C ２２４ , C ３１１ ~C ３１４ , C ３２１ ~C ３２４ The table terminals T operated by customers are １１１ ~T １１４ , T １２１ ~T １２４ , T ２１１ ~T ２１４ , T ２２１ ~T ２２４ , T ３１１ ~T ３１４ , T ３２１ ~T ３２４ When each table terminal T receives an input operation by a customer (such as touch panel operation for the product to be ordered), it outputs order information I ｏｄ and transmits it to the control device 100.

[0055] Furthermore, each upper conveying path 14a ｕ , 14b ｕ , 14c ｕ and each upper seat conveyor R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ At the connection part of the upper seat conveyor pair R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ Each upper seat path switch S for selectively guiding the passengers to one of the belt conveyors included in １ｕ , S ２ｕ , S ３ｕSimilarly, each of the lower conveying paths 14a ｄ , 14b ｄ , 14c ｄ and each lower seat conveyor R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ At the connection part of the lower seat conveyor pair R, the plate D1 or the plate D'1 is １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ Each lower seat path switch S for selectively guiding the passengers to one of the belt conveyors included in １ｄ , S ２ｄ , S ３ｄ is provided.

[0056] The control device 100 is configured by a computer programmed to be able to execute the functions described below.

[0057] 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control device 100. As shown in the figure, the control device 100 has an order information processing unit 102, a cooking order determination unit 104, a display processing unit 106, a rice remover control unit 108, a neta pack preparation device control unit 112, a plate information writing unit 114, a searing cooking determination unit 115, a kitchen switcher drive unit 116, a searing machine drive unit 118, a branch conveyor drive unit 122, and a customer conveyor drive unit 124.

[0058] The order information processing unit 102 receives order information I from each table terminal T. ｏｄ When the order information processing unit 102 acquires the order information I, the following order information processing is performed. ｏｄ The order information I in this embodiment is recorded in an internal memory (not shown) or an external storage area (a predetermined server or cloud, etc.) that can be accessed as needed. ｏｄ The information includes identification information for the plate D used for each order, information identifying the individual table where the order was placed (hereinafter referred to as the "table ID"), information indicating the product items to be ordered (order details), information indicating whether additional cooking (broiling) is required (hereinafter referred to as the "cooking information"), and information indicating the time the order was placed (hereinafter referred to as the "order time").

[0059] In addition, the order information processing unit 102 processes the order information Iｏｄ The order information processing unit 102 divides the product items related to the orders placed within a predetermined time from the order date (especially the time of order) into a first product item (sushi menu) to be cooked in the first kitchen K1 and a second product item (gunkan menu) to be cooked in the second kitchen K2. More specifically, the order information processing unit 102 refers to a database that pre-stores the product items to be cooked in the first kitchen K1 and the second kitchen K2, and then calculates the order information I from the obtained order information I. ｏｄ The merchandise items included in the list are classified into first merchandise items and second merchandise items.

[0060] Furthermore, the order information processing unit 102 refers to the order time of each product item and calculates the order sequence of each order classified into the first product item (hereinafter referred to as the "first order sequence") and the order sequence of each order classified into the second product item (hereinafter referred to as the "second order sequence"). ｏｄ The order information processing unit 102 generates information (hereinafter referred to as "first order order information") that links the first order order to the identification information, cooking information, and table ID of the plate D (plate D supplied to the first kitchen conveyor 12) included in the order information I. ｏｄ The order information processing unit 102 then generates information (hereinafter referred to as "second order order information") linking the second order order to the identification information and table ID of the plate D (supplied to the second kitchen conveyor 32) included in the table. The order information processing unit 102 then outputs the generated first order order information and second order order information to the cooking order determination unit 104.

[0061] The cooking order determination unit 104 executes the following cooking order determination process using the first order order information and the second order order information as input. Specifically, the cooking order determination unit 104 generates first cooking order information from the first order order information and generates second cooking order information from the second order order information. Here, the first cooking order information is determined as information linking the first order order information with the order in which the cooking will be performed in the first kitchen K1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first cooking order"). Furthermore, the second cooking order information is determined as information linking the second order order information with the order in which the cooking will be performed in the second kitchen K2 (hereinafter referred to as the "second cooking order"). Note that the first and second cooking orders may be determined to match the first and second order orders, respectively, or may be determined as an order that is an appropriate variation of these orders.

[0062] Then, the cooking order determination unit 104 outputs the generated first cooking order information and second cooking order information to the display processing unit 106, the rice removal device control unit 108, the neta pack preparation device control unit 112, the dish information writing unit 114, and the searing cooking judgment unit 115.

[0063] The display processing unit 106 references the first cooking order information and displays the first product items ordered within the predetermined time period together with the first cooking order on the display device of the first kitchen K1. The display processing unit 106 also references the second cooking order information and displays the second product items ordered within the predetermined time period together with the second cooking order on the display device of the second kitchen K2.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the detailed operations of the rice-removing device control unit 108 and the neta pack preparation device control unit 112.

[0065] As shown in the figure, the rice-removing device control unit 108 receives the above-mentioned order information I ｏｄIn response to the acquisition of the order information (step S1), the shari-removing device control unit 108 drives the shari-removing device 21 to place shari on plates D (step S2). More specifically, the shari-removing device control unit 108 refers to the first cooking order information generated by the order information processing unit 102 to calculate the number of product items included in the first cooking order (hereinafter referred to as the "first order number") and outputs a command signal to the shari-removing device 21 to place shari on the number of plates D corresponding to the first order number. The shari-removing device control unit 108 also refers to the second cooking order information to calculate the number of product items included in the second cooking order (hereinafter referred to as the "second order number") and outputs a command signal to the gunkan-style shari-removing device 41 to place shari wrapped in nori seaweed (gunkan-style shari) on the number of plates D corresponding to the second order number.

[0066] On the other hand, the ingredient pack preparation device control unit 112 operates the ingredient pack preparation device 22 and the gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 in parallel with the processing executed by the rice removal device control unit 108, or after the start of the processing, to perform processing to prepare ingredient packs P in the first cooking area K1 and the second cooking area K2, respectively.

[0067] In particular, the ingredient pack preparation device control unit 112 refers to the first cooking order information and identifies the first to third product items (sushi toppings) to be cooked among the product items included in the first cooking order (step S3). Furthermore, the ingredient pack preparation device control unit 112 refers to a data table that defines the relationship between the sushi toppings offered at a predetermined store and each address from each identified sushi topping, and obtains the addresses A of the three ingredient packs P that correspond to each of the identified sushi toppings (step S4). Note that, for ease of explanation below, it is assumed that the ingredient packs P (address A) that hold the identified three sushi toppings are respectively referred to as ingredient packs P （１１） , P （１２） , P （１３） Therefore, the specified address A is （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） This becomes:

[0068] Next, the content pack preparation device control unit 112 （１１） , A （１２） , A（１３） The corresponding Neta Pack P （１１） , P （１２） , P （１３） The control unit 112 determines whether the specified address A is already placed on the pack placement table 52 (step S5). （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） The above determination is made by comparing the address A (more specifically, three addresses A) stored as the address placed on the pack placement table 52 with the address A.

[0069] Then, the content pack preparation device control unit 112 receives the specified address A （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） If the address A matches the stored address A, more specifically, （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） If all three stored addresses A match, the pack exchange device 56 is not driven, all stored addresses A are maintained (Yes in step S5 and step S7), and this process is terminated.

[0070] On the other hand, the content pack preparation device control unit 112 （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） does not match the stored address A, more specifically, address A （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） If at least one of the addresses does not match any of the three stored addresses A, the processing for replacing the ingredient pack P placed on the pack placement table 52 is carried out (step S6).

[0071] More specifically, the information pack preparation device control unit 112 selects the specified address A from among the three addresses A stored in the memory. （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） Address A that does not fall under any of the above (hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, this will be referred to as address A （２２）Then, the neta pack preparation device control unit 112 operates the pack exchange device 56 to identify the identified address A （２２） A corresponding story pack P （２２） From the pack placement table 52 to the address A （２２） The packs are returned to their corresponding storage locations in the pack storage 54.

[0072] Thereafter, the neta pack preparation device control unit 112 again operates the pack exchange device 56 to exchange the specified address A （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） Among these, the one that does not match any of the three stored addresses A (hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, this will be referred to as address A （１１） The storage location corresponding to the neta pack P （１１） and remove the neta pack P from the pack placement table 52. （２２） The specified address A is placed at the same position as the address A. （１１） , A （１２） , A （１３） If two or more of the addresses do not match any of the three stored addresses A, the ingredient pack preparation device control unit 112 repeats the above ingredient pack exchange process multiple times in a predetermined order.

[0073] Then, when the ingredient pack preparation device control unit 112 completes the processing related to the ingredient pack exchange, it updates the three stored addresses A to the address A of the ingredient pack P newly placed on the pack placing table 52 by the ingredient pack exchange (step S7), and terminates this processing.

[0074] Furthermore, the rice removal device control unit 108 and the ingredient pack preparation device control unit 112 refer to the second cooking order information and operate the gunkan rice placing device 41 and the gunkan ingredient pack preparation device 42 using control logic similar to the processes shown in Figure 6, placing the gunkan rice on a plate D transported by the second kitchen conveyor 32, and preparing ingredient pack P2 holding the desired gunkan sushi ingredients to be attached to the gunkan rice in the second kitchen K2 (in front of cooking staff O2).

[0075] 5, when the plate information writing unit 114 receives a signal from the RFID writer 24 (a signal indicating the arrival of plate D1), it refers to the first cooking order information and writes specific plate information to plate D1. More specifically, the plate information writing unit 114 counts the number of plates that arrive at the RFID writer 24 and compares this count value with the first cooking order of each product item included in the first cooking order information to identify the first cooking order associated with plate D1 that has currently arrived at the RFID writer 24, and extracts the table ID of plate D1 from the first cooking order information using the identified first cooking order as a key. The plate information writing unit 114 then generates plate information including at least the table ID and operates the RFID writer 24 to write the plate information to plate D1.

[0076] In addition, when the plate information writing unit 114 receives a signal from the RFID writer 44 (a signal indicating the arrival of plate D2), it refers to the second cooking order information and performs a process to write plate information to plate D2 in a similar process to the writing of plate information to plate D1.

[0077] When the searing determination unit 115 receives a signal from the RFID writer 24 (a signal indicating the arrival of plate D1), it references the first cooking order information and determines whether the sushi on plate D1 needs to be seared. More specifically, the searing determination unit 115 identifies the first cooking order associated with plate D1 that has currently arrived at RFID writer 24 using the same process as the plate information writer 114, and extracts cooking information for plate D1 from the first cooking order information using the identified first cooking order as a key. Furthermore, the searing determination unit 115 determines whether the sushi on plate D1 needs to be seared based on the extracted cooking information, and generates a flag (necessity flag) indicating the result of the determination.

[0078] The kitchen switch driver 116 refers to the necessity flag and operates the conveyance path switch 13. More specifically, when the necessity flag has a value of 0 (when searing is not required), the kitchen switch driver 116 operates the conveyance path switch 13 so that conveyance of the plate D1 by the conveyor unit 12b is maintained (so that the plate D1 is guided to the first conveyance path). On the other hand, when the necessity flag has a value of 1 (when searing is required), the kitchen switch driver 116 operates the conveyance path switch 13 so that the plate D1 is guided from the conveyor unit 12b to the conveyor unit 12d.

[0079] When the grilling machine drive unit 118 receives a signal (grilling machine arrival signal) from a sensor or the like (not shown) indicating that the plate D1 has reached the automatic grilling machine 23, it outputs a command signal to the automatic grilling machine 23 so that the sushi placed on the plate D1 is automatically grilled.

[0080] When the branch conveyor driving unit 122 receives a signal from the RFID reader 26 (a signal including the arrival detection of the plate D1 or the plate D1′ and the plate information), it refers to the received plate information and drives the lower branch conveyor 14 ｄ , first lower stage path switch 16 ｄ , and the second lower stage path switch 17 ｄ More specifically, the branch conveyor driving unit 122 drives (operates) the tray D1 (or the tray D1') between the first kitchen conveyor 12 and the lower branch conveyor 14. ｄ From the connection part of any of the lower seat conveyor pairs (R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , or R ３ｄ ) so that the lower branch conveyor 14 ｄ , the first lower stage path switch 16 ｄ and the position adjustment of the second lower stage path switch 17 ｄ Perform position adjustment.

[0081] Furthermore, when the branch conveyor driving unit 122 receives a signal from the RFID reader 46 (a signal including the arrival detection of the plate D2 and the plate information), it refers to the received plate information and drives the upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ, first upper stage path switch 16 ｕ , and the second upper stage path switch 17 ｕ More specifically, the branch conveyor driving unit 122 drives (operates) the second kitchen conveyor 32 and the upper branch conveyor 14. ｕ From the connection part of any of the upper seat conveyor pairs (R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , or R ３ｕ ) to the upper branch conveyor 14 ｕ driving the first upper stage path switch 16 ｕ and the position adjustment of the second upper stage path switch 17 ｕ Perform position adjustment.

[0082] The customer conveyor driving unit 124 is an RFID reader 51 ｄ , 52 ｄ , 53 ｄ When a signal (a signal including the arrival detection of the plate D1 or the plate D1' and the plate information) is received from the １ｄ , S ２ｄ , S ３ｄ , and each lower seat conveyor pair R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ More specifically, the RFID reader 51 ｄ When the signal is received from the customer conveyor driving unit 124, the lower stage path switching unit S １ｄ and the position adjustment of the corresponding seat conveyor (seat conveyor R １ｄ The drive of the conveyor (any of the conveyors included in

[0083] In particular, the customer conveyor drive unit 124 drives the tray D1 or D1' through the lower stage path switch S １ｄBy adjusting the position of the plate D1 or D1', the plate is guided to the desired seating conveyor (row of seats) corresponding to the table ID, and the seating conveyor is driven at a predetermined speed for a predetermined time and then stopped. Here, the predetermined time is determined in advance as the time it takes for the plate D1 or D1' to reach the individual table to be served from the entrance of the seating conveyor to which it has been guided according to the predetermined speed.

[0084] In addition, the RFID reader 52 ｄ or RFID reader 53 ｄ The same applies to the control when a signal is received from the

[0085] Furthermore, the customer conveyor driving unit 124 is an RFID reader 51 ｕ , 52 ｕ , 53 ｕ When a signal (a signal including the arrival detection of the dish D2 and the dish information) is received from the upper seating section, the upper seating section path switch S １ｕ , S ２ｕ , S ３ｕ , and each upper seat conveyor pair R １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ The details of this control are described in the RFID reader 51. ｄ , 52 ｄ , 53 ｄ The control is the same as when a signal is acquired from

[0086] Next, an example of a specific operation of the food and drink providing system 10 having the above configuration will be described.

[0087] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the food and drink providing system 10. In particular, Fig. 7 shows the process of transporting sushi cooked in the first kitchen K1 to each individual table.

[0088] 7, first, the control device 100 (particularly the order information processing unit 102) executes the order information processing (step S10), and then the control device 100 (cooking order determination unit 104) executes the cooking order determination process (step S20).

[0089] Then, under the control of the control device 100 (particularly the rice removal device control unit 108 and the neta pack preparation device control unit 112), the rice placement device 21 places rice on the plate D (step T10), and the neta pack preparation device 22 removes the neta pack P1 (step T20).

[0090] Thereafter, the cooking staff member O1 attaches the toppings to the rice on the plates D (step U10). More specifically, with the first kitchen conveyor 12 (more specifically, conveyor unit 12a) stopped, the cooking staff member O1 attaches the sushi toppings from each of the prepared topping packs P1 to the rice on the multiple plates D (three in this embodiment) prepared in front of him / her while checking the first cooking order displayed on the display device.

[0091] When the cooking staff member O1 finishes the sushi topping work, the manual switch sw1 is operated (step U20), which drives the first kitchen conveyor 12 (more specifically, conveyor unit 12a) (step U30), and the plate D1 with the toppings on it is sent to conveyor unit 12b.

[0092] When the plate D1 reaches the RFID writer 24, the control device 100 (particularly the plate information writer 114) writes the plate information corresponding to the plate D1 (step S30). Furthermore, the control device 100 (particularly the broiling determination unit 115) determines whether or not the sushi on the plate D1 needs to be broiled (step S40).

[0093] If it is determined that searing is not required, the control device 100 (particularly the kitchen switch drive unit 116) guides the plate D1 to the first conveying path (the path from 12b to 12c to 12e) (step T40). On the other hand, if it is determined that searing is required (step S40 is Yes), the kitchen switch drive unit 116 guides the plate D1 to the second conveying path (the path from 12b to 12d to 12e) (step T50). Then, when the plate D1 reaches the automatic searing device 23 on the second conveying path, the control device 100 (particularly the searing device drive unit 118) controls the automatic searing device 23 to sear the sushi on the plate D1 (step T60).

[0094] Then, plate D1 that has not been seared and plate D1' that has been seared join each other at junction J of conveyor unit 12e (step T70). Then, when the plate information of plate D1 or plate D1' is read by RFID reader 26 (step S50), each actuator is operated by control device 100 (particularly branch conveyor drive unit 122 and customer conveyor drive unit 124), and plate D1 or plate D1' is transported to the desired individual table.

[0095] This allows plates D1 that should be transported directly to the branch conveyor 14 after being cooked in the first cooking area K1, and plates D1' that should be cooked in the first cooking area K1 and then additionally seared and transported to the branch conveyor 14 to be transported from within the kitchen to the desired individual table via a common branch route.

[0096] (Operations and Effects of the Present Embodiment) In the present embodiment, a food and drink providing system 10 is provided that assists in the preparation of food and drink (sushi) to be placed on a plate D while transporting the plate D in a kitchen.

[0097] This food and drink supply system 10 receives sushi order information I ｏｄ a first food ingredient preparation device (21, 41) that automatically places a first food ingredient (rice or gunkan-style rice) on a plate D sent to a cooking area (K1, K2) in the kitchen in response to the order information I; ｏｄand a second food ingredient preparation device (22, 42) that automatically prepares a second food ingredient (sushi topping or gunkan topping) in the kitchen (K1, K2) in response to the request.

[0098] This results in order information I ｏｄ The device automatically places sushi rice (gunkan sushi rice) on the plate D according to the order, and automatically prepares the appropriate sushi toppings (gunkan sushi toppings) to be paired with the sushi rice (gunkan sushi rice) using the topping pack preparation device 22 (gunkan sushi topping pack preparation device 42), eliminating the need for store staff to select and prepare the appropriate toppings according to the order. This reduces the variation in actual cooking time between store staff, further improving the efficiency of sushi provision.

[0099] In particular, in the food and drink providing system 10 of this embodiment, the second ingredient preparation device (for example, ingredient pack preparation device 22) includes a placement unit (pack placement table 52) for placing ingredient packs (ingredient packs P) each holding a plurality of second ingredients (sushi ingredients), a storage unit (pack storage 54) for storing a plurality of ingredient packs P for each type of sushi ingredient, and a storage unit (sushi pack storage 54) for storing the ingredient packs P stored in the pack storage 54. （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） . . . onto the pack placement table 52 and place them thereon.

[0100] This allows you to create multiple content packs. （１１） , P （１２） ...P （ｉｊ） ... and, when necessary, a specific device structure can be realized for preparing a pack of ingredients P containing the desired sushi ingredients in the kitchen (more specifically, the first kitchen K1).

[0101] The food and drink providing system 10 of this embodiment further includes a control device 100 that controls the first food ingredient preparation device (e.g., rice placing device 21) and the second food ingredient preparation device (neta pack preparation device 22). ｏｄ Once you have obtained the order information, ｏｄThe control device 100 then determines the number of orders, the order order, and the order contents of each order included within a predetermined time from the date of order placement. Furthermore, the control device 100 operates the rice placement device 21 to place rice on plates D in a number corresponding to the number of orders, identifies the ingredient packs P to be prepared on the pack placement table 52 by referring to the cooking order of each order determined according to the order order, and operates the pack exchange device 56 to take out the identified ingredient packs P from the pack storage 54 and place them on the pack placement table 52.

[0102] As a result, the acquired order information I ｏｄ The order information I is automatically placed on the plate D in accordance with the order information I. ｏｄ It is possible to realize specific control logic for automatically preparing a sushi ingredient pack P containing sushi ingredients according to the requirements.

[0103] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows an application example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configuration of the above embodiment.

[0104] For example, the first kitchen conveyor 12, the second kitchen conveyor 32, the branch conveyor 14, and the upper seat conveyor pairs R in the above embodiment may be １ｕ , R ２ｕ , R ３ｕ , and each lower seat conveyor pair R １ｄ , R ２ｄ , R ３ｄ The specific structure of the above is an example, and various modifications are possible within the scope in which the effects of the present invention can be realized.

[0105] In this embodiment, the first kitchen K1 performs the sushi topping process, and the second kitchen K2 performs the gunkan topping process. However, other cooking methods may be used. For example, the first kitchen K1 may perform the sushi topping process and the subsequent process of adding predetermined toppings (an additional process that can be performed by hand in a relatively short time). The same applies to the second kitchen K2. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the searing process using the automatic searing machine 23, other additional cooking methods (such as grilling the surface of the sushi or applying seasonings such as sauces to the sushi) may be used.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which sushi rice (rice sushi rice) is prepared on a plate D as a first ingredient, and sushi toppings (sushi toppings) are combined with the first ingredient and cooked. The sushi is then delivered to the customer-side delivery device either as is or after additional cooking (broiling). However, the configuration of the food and beverage service system 10 of the above embodiment can also be applied, with appropriate modifications, to food and beverages prepared using other combinations of first and second ingredients. For example, a ramen noodle may be prepared as a first ingredient and a ramen soup prepared on a plate (bowl) in the first cooking area K1, and the ramen may be cooked by combining the soup with the noodles. The ramen may then be delivered to the customer-side delivery device either as is or after additional cooking with the addition of specified toppings.

[0107] Furthermore, the processes performed by the control device 100 shown in this embodiment are merely examples for realizing this embodiment, and the order of some of the processes may be changed, some of the processes may be omitted, or other processes may be added, within the scope that allows this embodiment to be realized. Furthermore, programs for executing the processes performed by the control device 100 shown in this embodiment and computer-readable recording media that store the programs are also included within the scope of the matters described in the specification, etc., as originally filed.

[0108] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-32060, filed with the Japan Patent Office on March 4, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A food and beverage serving system that transports plates within a kitchen and assists in the preparation of food and beverages to be placed on the plates, comprising: a first food ingredient preparation device that automatically places a first ingredient on a plate sent to a cooking area within the kitchen in accordance with order information for the food and beverages; and a second food ingredient preparation device that is positioned downstream of the first food ingredient preparation device and automatically prepares a second ingredient in the cooking area in accordance with the order information.

2. A food and beverage serving system as described in claim 1, wherein the second food ingredient preparation device comprises: a loading section for loading ingredient packs each holding a plurality of the second ingredients of the same type; a storage section for storing a plurality of the ingredient packs for each type of the second ingredients; and a transfer device for moving the ingredient packs stored in the storage section to the loading section and loading them thereon.

3. A food and beverage serving system as described in claim 2, further comprising a control device that controls the first ingredient preparation device and the second ingredient preparation device, wherein the control device, upon receiving the order information, operates the first ingredient preparation device to sequentially place the first ingredients onto a number of plates corresponding to the number of orders within a predetermined time period determined from the order information, identifies the ingredient packs to be prepared in the placement section by referring to the cooking order determined from the order information, and operates the transfer device to remove the identified ingredient packs from the storage section and place them on the placement section.

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