Touchless Food Locker Assembly for Temperature-Controlled Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restaurants face challenges in providing efficient takeout services due to human labor costs, temperature control issues, and health safety concerns, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where maintaining food at safe temperatures and minimizing human contact with food containers are critical.
Innovation Solution
The ONDO™ Self-serve Food Locker system provides automated, touchless access to hot and cold food storage with integrated temperature control, UV sterilization, and a human-machine interface for customers to retrieve orders directly, reducing staff intervention and ensuring food safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human staff handle takeout orders manually, then customer service interaction is personalized, but labor costs increase and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The food locker system enables customers to independently retrieve their orders using automated unlocking mechanisms controlled by order codes or RFID cards, eliminating the need for staff to manually hand over food. The system autonomously manages food storage, temperature control, and customer access without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations of opening locker doors and handing food are replaced with an automated electromechanical system that uses electronic controls, motors, and sensors to manage food retrieval automatically based on customer identification and order data.
2Temperature
If food is stored in paper or plastic bags, then storage is simple and flexible, but temperature control is poor leading to heat gain or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains food at optimal temperatures by using integrated heating elements for hot food and cooling elements for cold food within the locker compartments. Temperature sensors continuously monitor and adjust heating/cooling to maintain set points, preventing heat gain or loss during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The locker structure uses insulated compartments with thermal barriers to maintain temperature stability. The combination of insulation materials and active heating/cooling elements creates a composite thermal management system that preserves food temperature effectively.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If staff handle food containers directly, then order delivery is efficient, but bacterial and viral contamination risk increases during the pandemic
Solution Approach 1:
The automated locker system acts as an intermediary between the kitchen and the customer, allowing food to be transferred to the locker without staff touching customer containers. Customers retrieve food through touchless mechanisms using codes or RFID cards, eliminating direct contact between staff and food containers.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual handling of food containers by staff is replaced with automated mechanical systems that open locker doors, dispense food, and close compartments without human contact. Sensors and motors control the entire retrieval process autonomously.
4Loss of time
If multiple customers wait for food pickup, then staff can manage orders sequentially, but waiting area congestion increases and service time extends
Solution Approach 1:
Food is prepared and placed in the locker compartment in advance before the customer arrives for pickup. The system pre-positions orders in designated lockers with automated unlocking ready, so customers can immediately retrieve their food upon arrival without waiting in line.
Solution Approach 2:
Customers independently retrieve their own food from the locker system using automated access mechanisms, eliminating the need for staff to serve each customer sequentially. Multiple customers can simultaneously access different lockers without interfering with each other.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system streamlines the takeout process, reduces operational costs, and ensures food is retrieved at safe temperatures while minimizing bacterial and viral contamination, enhancing customer experience and restaurant efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
ultra-violet sterilizing lights in germ food lockers
Implementation Method 2
integrated timed heating/cooling temperature control
Implementation Method 3
integrated timed heating/cooling temperature control
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a touchless automatic food locker apparatus, system, and method providing automated self-serve food lockers. Embodiments include arrays of modular food lockers having a public access door and a kitchen access door opposed to each other, assembled as a wall between the public space and the kitchen. Each food locker kitchen access door is adapted to receive a food item disposed into the locker. Heating and cooling elements maintain the appropriate food item temperature in the locker. Sensors, lighting, and UV lighting coupled to the locker detects a state of the item in the locker. The locker further includes credentialed access by the customer to the food locker from the public access door by an assembly coupled to the food locker utilizing mobile communication and intelligent analysis to reduce waiting time, keep food products fresh, and assure quality product delivery.