JP5709792B2 - Dish feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dish supply device.

  In recent years, food and beverages have been provided at restaurants using transport devices that circulate food and drink (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3).

Japanese Patent No. 2879499 Japanese Patent No. 2612829 Japanese Patent No. 2753967

  In a restaurant kitchen using a transporting device for circulating foods and drinks, a plate with foods and drinks is placed on a transport lane and transported from the kitchen area to the eating and drinking area. Here, when various kinds of food and drink are transported in the transport lane, the dish with food and drink is continuously flowed behind the sign indicating that the dish with the specific kind of food and drink is continued. It has been broken. In the seating area, a customer who recognizes the sign takes a dish flowing behind the sign from the transport lane and eats food and drink on the dish. Therefore, an empty space is gradually formed behind the sign.

  It is necessary to replenish such empty space with a dish on which the kind of food and drink indicated by the sign is placed. Even when there is no empty space, there is a case where the empty space is secured and the dish is replenished. For this reason, in the kitchen area, when the sign is confirmed, an operation for replenishing the dish on which the food and drink of the type indicated by the sign passes is performed. However, since the dishes are always flowing in the transportation lane, it is difficult to match the timing when the preparation of the dishes on which the food and drink are placed with the timing when the signs flow. Therefore, in the kitchen area, it is necessary to inevitably estimate the timing at which the sign flows after preparation of the dish on which food and drink are placed.

  Therefore, the present application provides a dish supply that can supply a dish loaded with food and drink to the back of the sign without timing the sign indicating that a dish loaded with a specific type of food or drink continues. It is an object to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a replenishment lane on which a dish to be replenished is placed in a transportation lane, and a sign indicating that a dish on which a specific type of food or drink is placed is a transportation lane of the transportation lane. After passing through the connection with the replenishment lane, the plate to be refilled was sent out to the empty space behind the sign.

  Specifically, it is a dish supply device that is attached to a transport device that circulates dishes on which food and drink are circulated, one end of which is connected to the transport lane of the transport device, and a tray that is replenished to the transport lane is placed thereon. In the state where the replenishment lane and the replenishment dish on which the food and drink are placed are placed on the replenishment lane, a sign indicating that the dish on which a specific type of food and drink is placed continues to the transport lane and the transport lane of the transport lane And a tray feeding means for feeding the replenishment tray to an empty space behind the sign when passing through the connecting portion with the replenishment lane.

  If it is the said tray supply apparatus, after the preparation of the dish which put food and drink is completed, the said dish will be sent out to the empty space behind a sign only by mounting the prepared dish in a replenishment lane. Therefore, it is possible to supply a dish on which food and drink are placed to the rear of the sign on the transport lane without having to wait for the sign to flow. Note that the empty space behind the sign means that when a dish with food and drink is placed in the space, the food or drink on the dish is the type of food or drink indicated by the sign. An empty space at a position to be obtained, for example, an empty space between the sign and the dish following the sign, an empty space between the dishes following the sign, or other behind the sign and the sign You can list the free space between the signs.

  The dish delivery means may deliver the replenishment dish to an empty space behind the sign until the number of dishes following the sign reaches a predetermined number. In this case, the plates are automatically replenished by the plate supply device so that the number of plates following the sign flowing through the transport lane is maintained at a predetermined number. For this reason, it is possible to keep the number of plates following the sign constant and to keep the transportation lane in order.

  In addition, the tray supply device further includes a progress stopping means for stopping the progress of the tray in the transport lane approaching the connecting portion by causing an obstacle that obstructs the progress of the tray to protrude on the transport lane. When the sign passes through the connecting portion, the dish feeding means stops the progress of the dish following the sign by the progress stopping means, and causes the dish placed in the replenishment lane to be placed behind the sign. You may send out to an empty space. In this case, even if there is no empty space originally behind the sign, the progress stop means secures an empty space behind the sign, so that the dish is supplied to the back of the sign regardless of whether there is an empty space. It becomes possible.

  Further, the progress stop means may adjust the interval between the dishes by stopping the progress of the dishes in the transport lane. In this case, since the clogging between the plates flowing through the transport lane is eliminated, it is possible to achieve both the supply of the plates regardless of the presence or absence of the empty space and the appearance of the transport lane. .

  If it is the dish supply apparatus which concerns on this invention, without expecting the timing which the label | marker which shows that the dish which loaded the specific kind of food and drink flows, the dish which loaded food and drink is behind the sign. Can be supplied.

It is the figure which showed the dish supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the figure which showed the internal structure of the dish supply apparatus. It is the figure which expanded the connection part of a conveyance lane and a replenishment lane. It is the figure which showed the processing flow which a control apparatus performs. It is the figure which showed the 1st operation example of the dish supply apparatus. It is the figure which showed the 2nd operation example of the plate supply apparatus. It is the figure which showed the 3rd operation example of the plate supply apparatus. It is the figure which showed the processing flow which a control apparatus performs in a 1st modification. It is the figure which showed the 4th operation example of the plate supply apparatus. It is the figure which showed the 5th operation example of the plate supply apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of application of the dish supply apparatus. It is the figure which showed the dish supply apparatus which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is the figure which showed two states which a progress stop apparatus implement | achieves. It is the figure which showed the processing flow which a control apparatus performs in a 2nd modification. It is the figure which showed the operation example of the dish supply apparatus which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is the figure which showed the operation example in case a progress stop apparatus adjusts the space | interval of the tray of a conveyance lane.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Embodiment shown below is one aspect | mode of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention. Each embodiment and modification shown below are suitable, for example, for restaurants that provide various foods such as sushi, beverages, soba and udon noodles, and fried and tempura.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing a dish supply apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dish supply apparatus 1 is attached to the transport lane L1 of the transport apparatus that circulates the dish D on which food and drink are placed between the kitchen area and the restaurant area. The dish supply apparatus 1 is an apparatus that automatically supplies a dish D on which food and drink are placed (this dish is hereinafter referred to as “stock dish Ds” in particular) to the transport lane L1, and is therefore installed in the kitchen area. Is preferred. However, the dish supply apparatus 1 is not limited to the aspect installed in a kitchen area, You may install in the location seen from a passenger seat. The tray D flows through the transport lane L1 so as to follow the tray D with a sign indicating that the tray D on which a specific type of food or drink is placed continues (such a tray is hereinafter referred to as “pop dish Dp” in particular). ing.

  The chain conveyor in the transport lane L1 is a conveyor that conveys the dishes D while circulating in the kitchen area and the restaurant area, and circulates with a large number of dishes D placed in the kitchen area. The dish supply apparatus 1 replenishes the transport lane L1 with the stock dish Ds, but the dish D directly placed by the store staff may flow in the transport lane L1. The chain conveyor in the transport lane L1 has a semicircular transport plate connected in an annular shape so as to be able to circulate in the kitchen area and the restaurant area, and circulates by a driving device (not shown). In the restaurant where the transport lane L1 is installed, the kitchen area may be disposed in a deep place in the store that is difficult to see from the restaurant area, or the kitchen area is disposed inside the annular transport lane L1, A restaurant area may be arranged outside. Further, in FIG. 1, a crescent type chain conveyor is illustrated, but the chain conveyor of the transport lane L1 may be other types (for example, a roller conveyor or the like).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the dish supply device 1. The dish supply device 1 is placed on a kitchen table, and includes a control device 2, a dish loading unit 3, and a dish feeding unit 5.

  On the dish mounting part 3, a stock dish Ds prepared by a store staff is placed. The dish placing unit 3 includes a number of rollers 4 for moving the stock dish Ds placed on the dish placing unit 3 to the dish delivery unit 5, and forms a replenishment lane L2. Each roller 4 is arranged so that the rotation axis is orthogonal to the transport direction of the replenishment lane L2. Each roller 4 is attached to the housing of the dish supply device 1 so that the replenishment lane L2 is inclined toward the dish delivery unit 5 side. Moreover, each roller 4 is attached so as to be freely rotatable by a bearing. Accordingly, the stock pan Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 moves to the tray delivery unit 5 side by its own weight. In addition, the dish mounting part 3 is not limited to what is comprised with the roller 4 which can freely rotate, For example, you may comprise with a belt-type conveyor.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2. The tray delivery section 5 is a device that feeds the stock pan Ds in the replenishment lane L2 to the transport lane L1, and a tray delivery bar 6 disposed on the side of the replenishment lane L2 and a rotating device 7 that rotates the dish delivery rod 6 ( 2). One end of the dish delivery bar 6 is attached to a rotation device 7 installed on the lower side of the replenishment lane L2, and the rotation device 7 rotates the dish delivery bar 6 around an axis indicated by a symbol P in FIG. By doing so, the dish feed rod 6 can feed the stock dish Ds to the transport lane L1.

  The control device 2 controls the rotation device 7 based on the output signals of the sensors installed in the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2, and moves the dish delivery rod 6. A tray identification sensor 8, a tray detection sensor 9, and a tray counting sensor 14 are connected to the control device 2.

  The dish identification sensor 8 is a sensor for identifying the pop dish Dp, and is installed slightly upstream from the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2. Therefore, information regarding whether or not the dish D approaching the connecting portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2 is the pop dish Dp is input from the dish identification sensor 8 to the control device 2. Note that the dish identification sensor 8 may be a sensor that identifies whether or not the dish is a pop dish Dp based on the color attached to the pop dish Dp, or a symbol or the like attached to the pop dish Dp. The sensor may be identified based on the pattern, may be a sensor identified based on the analysis result of the image captured of the pop dish Dp, or may be an electronic device such as an IC tag attached to the pop dish Dp. It may be a sensor that is identified by an appropriate means.

  By the way, the distance between the dish identification sensor 8 and the connection portion LJ is appropriately determined in consideration of the predetermined number of dishes D to be arranged behind the pop dish Dp. For example, when the predetermined number of dishes D to be arranged behind the pop dish Dp is set to four, the distance Lx between the dish identification sensor 8 and the connecting portion LJ is at least the distance where four dishes D are arranged. It is preferable to lengthen the length.

  The dish detection sensor 9 is an optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of the dish D, and is installed in the vicinity of the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2. The dish detection sensor 9 detects the presence or absence of the dish D based on the change in the output of the light receiving unit 11 when the dish D crosses between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 11 installed on both sides of the transport lane L1. . Therefore, the control device 2 can accurately grasp the position and interval of each dish D based on the output of the dish detection sensor 9. For this reason, the control device 2 can detect the presence or absence of an empty space for replenishing the stock dish Ds based on the output of the dish detection sensor 9.

  The presence or absence of an empty space can be determined as follows, for example. For example, the control device 2 takes into consideration the moving speed of the dish D in the transport lane L1 and the size of the dish D while the light receiving unit 11 of the dish detection sensor 9 detects the light of the light emitting unit 10. It is possible to detect that there is a free space if it is longer than the predetermined time determined in the above. In addition to this, the control device 2 detects that there is an empty space when, for example, a plurality of plate detection sensors 9 provided with a space corresponding to the size of the plate D do not detect the plate D. You may do it. Alternatively, for example, the control device 2 may use a camera installed on the transport lane L1 as the dish detection sensor 9 and detect the presence or absence of an empty space based on the analysis result of the image captured by the camera. The camera can be used in combination with a camera used as the dish identification sensor 8.

  The dish counting sensor 14 is an optical sensor that counts the number of dishes D that follow the pop dish Dp, and is installed in the vicinity of the dish identification sensor 8. The dish counting sensor 14 detects the presence or absence of the dish D based on the change in the output of the light receiving part 16 when the dish D crosses between the light emitting part 15 and the light receiving part 16 installed on both sides of the transport lane L1. . Therefore, the control device 2 can count the number of dishes D arranged behind the pop dish Dp by the dish counting sensor 14.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the dish supply device 1 will be described focusing on the processing executed by the control device 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow executed by the control device 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first operation example of the dish supply device 1.

  When the control device 2 detects the pop dish Dp flowing through the transport lane L1 by the dish identification sensor 8 (FIG. 5 (A) / S101), the controller 2 counts the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp by the dish counting sensor 14. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has reached a predetermined number (for example, four) (S102). When the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has not reached the predetermined number, the control device 2 grasps the presence or absence of an empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp by the dish detection sensor 9 (S103). Here, for example, since the number of the dishes D following the pop dish Dp is two, the control device 2 is in a situation where two sheets are insufficient until the predetermined number, and there is an empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp. When the dish detection sensor 9 recognizes that the pop dish Dp is present (FIG. 5B), after the pop dish Dp passes through the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2, the first empty space Sp is the connection portion. The turning device 7 is controlled at the timing when it overlaps with the LJ to move the dish delivery rod 6 and the stock dish Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 is sent to the transport lane L1 (FIG. 5C, S104). As a result, the first empty space Sp between the pop dish Dp and the dish D following the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dish Ds (FIG. 5D). Further, the control device 2 controls the rotation device 7 at the timing when the second empty space Sp overlaps with the connection portion LJ to move the tray feeding bar 6 and the stock tray Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2. Is sent out to the transport lane L1 (FIG. 5E, S104). As a result, the second empty space Sp located behind the dish D following the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dish Ds (FIG. 5F). In the present embodiment, the predetermined number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp is set. Therefore, the control device 2 stops the feeding process (S104) of the stock dish Ds regardless of the presence or absence of the empty space Sp as soon as the predetermined number of dishes D follow the pop dish Dp.

  On the other hand, if the control device 2 determines in step S102 that the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has reached the predetermined number, or if there is no empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp in step S103. When it determines, a series of processing flows are repeated again, without performing the process of step S104. The predetermined number may be increased or decreased according to parameters related to the sales of food and drink placed on the plate D such as the number of customers visiting the restaurant and the time zone.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second operation example of the dish supply device 1. The control device 2 detects the pop dish Dp (S101), and detects that the predetermined number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has not been reached by the dish counting sensor 14 (FIGS. 6A and S102). For example, since the number of the dishes D following the pop dish Dp is two, there is a shortage of two sheets up to the predetermined number, and the dish detection sensor indicates that there is an empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp. 9 (FIG. 6B, S103), the timing when the first empty space Sp overlaps the connecting portion LJ after the pop dish Dp passes the connecting portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2. Then, the rotating device 7 is controlled to move the dish delivery rod 6 to feed the stock dish Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 to the transport lane L1 (FIGS. 6C and S104). As a result, the first empty space Sp between the dishes D following the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dishes Ds (FIG. 6D). Further, the control device 2 controls the rotation device 7 at the timing when the second empty space Sp overlaps with the connection portion LJ to move the tray feeding bar 6 and the stock tray Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2. Is sent to the transport lane L1 (FIG. 6E, S104). As a result, the second empty space Sp located behind the dish D following the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dish Ds (FIG. 6F).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third operation example of the dish supply device 1. The control device 2 detects the pop dish Dp (S101), and detects that the predetermined number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has not been reached by the dish counting sensor 14 (FIGS. 6A and S102). For example, there is no plate D following the pop plate Dp, and there is a shortage of four plates up to the preset number, and the plate detection sensor 9 indicates that there is an empty space Sp behind the pop plate Dp. In the case of grasping (FIG. 7B, S103), the pop dish Dp passes through the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2, and turns at the timing when the first empty space Sp overlaps with the connection portion LJ. The tray 7 is moved by controlling the moving device 7 to feed the stock pan Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 to the transport lane L1 (FIGS. 7C and S104). As a result, the first empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dish Ds (FIG. 6D). Further, the control device 2 controls the rotation device 7 at the timing when the second empty space Sp overlaps with the connection portion LJ to move the tray feeding bar 6 and the stock tray Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2. Is sent to the transport lane L1 (FIG. 6E, S104). As a result, the second empty space Sp located behind the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dish Ds (FIG. 6F). The control device 2 continues such replenishment processing of the stock dish Ds until the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp reaches a predetermined number. As a result, a predetermined number of dishes D are replenished behind the pop dish Dp where there is no dish D behind.

  If it is the said tray supply apparatus 1, the stock dish Ds which loaded the food and drink of the kind which the said pop dish Dp shows can be supplied to the back of the pop dish Dp, without waiting for the timing when the pop dish Dp flows. It becomes.

<First modification>
In addition, you may deform | transform the dish supply apparatus 1 which concerns on the said embodiment as follows, for example. In this modification, the stock dish Ds delivery process is executed according to the type of the pop dish Dp.

  In this modification, the dish identification sensor 8 of the dish supply apparatus 1 is a sensor that can identify the type of the pop dish Dp. Therefore, information regarding the type of the pop dish Dp that approaches the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2 is input from the dish identification sensor 8 to the control device 2. The type of the pop dish Dp is, for example, an electronic means such as a color, a symbol or a pattern attached to the pop dish Dp, an analysis result of an image obtained by imaging the pop dish Dp, or an IC tag attached to the pop dish Dp. Can be identified. In addition, about another structure, it is the same as that of the plate supply apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment mentioned above.

  Hereinafter, in the present modification, the operation of the dish supply device 1 will be described focusing on the processing executed by the control device 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow executed by the control device 2 in the first modification. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fourth operation example of the dish supply device 1. It is assumed that a stock dish Ds on which a prescribed type of food or drink is placed is placed in the replenishment lane L2.

When detecting the pop dish Dp flowing through the transport lane L1 by the dish identification sensor 8 (FIG. 9A, S201), the control device 2 determines the type of the pop dish Dp (S202). When the pop dish Dp indicates a prescribed type of food or drink, the control device 2 counts the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp by the dish counting sensor 14 and behind the pop dish Dp. It is determined whether or not the number of subsequent dishes D has reached a predetermined number (for example, four) (S203). When the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has not reached the predetermined number, the control device 2 grasps the presence or absence of the empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp by the dish detection sensor 9 (S204). Here, for example, when the dish detecting sensor 9 grasps that there is an empty space Sp between the pop dish Dp and the dish D following the pop dish Dp (FIG. 9B), the control device 2 pops the dish. After Dp passes through the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the replenishment lane L2, the tray feeding rod 6 is moved by controlling the rotating device 7 at the timing when the empty space Sp overlaps the connection portion LJ, and is loaded on the replenishment lane L2. The placed pop dish Dp is sent out to the transport lane L1 (FIG. 9C, S205). As a result, the empty space Sp between the pop dish Dp and the dish D following the pop dish Dp is filled with the stock dish Ds (FIG. 9D). If the empty space Sp is not between the pop dish Dp and the dish D following the pop dish Dp, but between the dishes D following the pop dish Dp, or there is no dish D behind the pop dish Dp, the pop Even in the case where the rear of the dish Dp is all empty, the control device 2 sends the stock dish Ds to the transport lane L1 in the same manner as the operation example shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth operation example of the dish supply device 1. When the pop dish Dp detected in the detection process of the pop dish Dp (FIG. 10A / S201) indicates food or drink other than the prescribed type of food or drink (S202), the control device 2 The process of step S201 is executed again without executing the example processes S203 to S204 (FIG. 10B). Thereby, the empty space Sp following the pop dish Dp passes through the connection portion LJ between the transport lane L1 and the supplement lane L2 without being supplemented with the stock dish Ds.

  In addition, in this modification, the dish supply apparatus 1 prepares the food and drink of the kind prescribed | regulated in the dish supply apparatus 1, and the store staff prepares the stock dish Ds which loaded the said food and drink in the replenishment lane L2. It is assumed that. Therefore, when it is desired to replenish the transport lane L1 with the dish D on which various types of food and drink are placed, for example, as shown in FIG. "Tuna grip" or "squid grip" etc.). In addition, for example, when a stock dish Ds on which a different type of food and drink specified in the dish supply device 1 is placed in the replenishment lane L2, the pop dish is placed behind the pop dish Dp. The dish D on which the food and drink of a different type from the food and drink indicated by Dp is replenished.

  Therefore, the dish supply apparatus 1 according to the present modification may be configured to change the type of the pop dish Dp that executes the delivery process. For example, the type of the pop dish Dp for executing the feeding process can be changed as follows.

  In the first example, for example, an operation button for selecting the type of food to be replenished to the transport lane L1 is provided in the dish supply device 1. In this case, the store staff prepares the stock dish Ds on which the type of food and drink selected by the operation button is placed, and places it on the replenishment lane L2. According to the first example, it is possible to automatically replenish the empty space Sp behind the corresponding pop dish Dp with the stock dish Ds on which any kind of food or drink selected by the operation button is placed.

  In the second example, for example, means for automatically determining the type of food or drink placed on the stock dish Ds placed on the replenishment lane L2 is provided in the dish supply apparatus 1. When the pop dish Dp corresponding to the type of food or drink placed on the stock dish Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 is detected, the stock dish Ds is sent out to the empty space Sp behind the pop dish Dp. . In addition, the discrimination | determination process of the food / beverage on the stock dish Ds imaged the information of the IC tag attached to the said stock dish Ds, the color and pattern of the said stock dish Ds, or the said stock dish Ds, for example. It can be realized based on image analysis. According to the second example, even if the store staff prepares various types of food and drink, and even when the stock dish Ds on which these are placed is appropriately placed on the replenishment lane L2, these stock dishes Ds The empty space Sp behind the corresponding pop dish Dp can be automatically replenished.

  Moreover, the 3rd example connects the tray supply apparatus 1 to the computer which manages the tray D currently circulating through the conveyance lane L1, for example. The computer instructs the store staff who prepares the stock dish Ds to be placed in the replenishment lane L2 of the dish supply apparatus 1 on the display device such as a liquid crystal monitor and the like, as well as the type and number of food and drink to be replenished. The kind of pop dish Dp which performs sending-out processing is specified with respect to the control apparatus 2 of the supply apparatus 1. FIG. In this case, the store staff prepares a stock dish Ds on which the type of food or drink designated by the computer is placed, and places it on the replenishment lane L2. According to the third example, it is possible to automatically replenish the empty space Sp behind the corresponding pop dish Dp with the stock dish Ds on which the type of food and drink designated by the computer is placed.

<Second modification>
Moreover, you may deform | transform the dish supply apparatus 1 which concerns on the said embodiment and a 1st modification as follows, for example. In this modification, the stock dish Ds is replenished to the empty space Sp secured by stopping the progress of the dish D flowing through the transport lane L1.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the dish supply device 101 according to the second modification. The dish supply apparatus 101 according to the present modification is installed on the transport lane L1 in addition to the components according to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and stops the progress of the dish D in the transport lane L1 approaching the connecting portion LJ. A progress stop device 12 is further provided.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating two states realized by the progress stop device 12. The progress stop device 12 includes levers 13L and 13R (which are examples of “obstacles” in the present application) 13L and 13R respectively disposed on both sides of the conveyance lane L1 slightly upstream from the connection portion LJ. The levers 13L and 13R can be rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) installed under the transport lane L1. The levers 13L and 13R are arranged so as to have substantially the same height as the edge of the dish D placed on the transport lane L1. Accordingly, when the levers 13L and 13R protrude inward, the dish D flowing through the transport lane L1 comes into contact with the levers 13L and 13R, and the progress of the dish D is stopped (FIG. 13A). . The state of the levers 13L and 13R at this time is hereinafter referred to as “progress stop mode”. When the levers 13L and 13R do not protrude inward, the dish D flowing through the transport lane L1 continues to travel without contacting the levers 13L and 13R, and is transported downstream of the transport lane L1. (FIG. 13B). The state of the levers 13L and 13R at this time is hereinafter referred to as “progress mode”.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the plate supply apparatus 101 is demonstrated centering around the process which the control apparatus 2 of the plate supply apparatus 101 which concerns on this modification performs. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow executed by the control device 2 in the second modification. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the dish supply apparatus 101 according to the second modification. The levers 13L and 13R are assumed to be in the traveling mode.

  When the control device 2 detects the pop dish Dp flowing in the transport lane L1 by the dish identification sensor 8 (FIG. 15A, S301), the dish count sensor 14 counts the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has reached a predetermined number (for example, four) (S302). When the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp has not reached the predetermined number, the control device 2 operates the progression stop apparatus 12 after the pop dish Dp passes through the progression stop apparatus 12 and stops the levers 13L and 13R. The mode is set (S303). Thereby, the progress of the dish D following the pop dish Dp is stopped, and an empty space Sp is secured between the pop dish Dp and the dish D following the pop dish Dp (FIG. 15B). The control device 2 sets the levers 13L and 13R to the advance stop mode, and then controls the rotation device 7 at the timing when the empty space Sp overlaps with the connection portion LJ to move the dish delivery rod 6 and place it on the replenishment lane L2. The stock pan Ds that has been sent is sent to the transport lane L1 (FIG. 15C, S304). After completing the feeding of the stock pan Ds, the control device 2 operates the progress stop device 12 to set the levers 13L and 13R to the travel mode (FIGS. 15D and S305). Thereby, the progress of the dish D whose progress has been stopped by the progress stop device 12 is resumed, and the dish D continues behind the pop dish Dp without leaving any space (FIG. 15E).

In FIG. 15, the levers 13L and 13R are set to the advance mode when only one stock pan Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 is sent out. However, the present modification is limited to such a mode. Is not to be done. For example, the control device 2 according to this modified example may replenish the plurality of stock dishes Ds placed in the replenishment lane L2 and then set the levers 13L and 13R to the advance mode, or enter the refill lane L2. The levers 13L and 13R may be set to the advance mode after replenishing all the stock pans Ds placed thereon.

  Moreover, the dish supply apparatus 101 which concerns on this modification performs the sending-out process of the stock dish Ds according to the kind of pop dish Dp like the 1st modification of the said embodiment demonstrated using FIGS. You may make it perform. Further, the progress stopping device 12 is not limited to the mode using the levers 13L and 13R. For example, by pushing the stock dish Ds between the respective dishes D in the transport lane, an empty space is secured, and the stock dish Ds. May be realized.

  Moreover, you may make it the progress stop apparatus 12 of the dish supply apparatus 101 which concerns on this modification adjust the space | interval of the dish D of the conveyance lane L1. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation example when the progress stopping device 12 adjusts the interval between the dishes D in the transport lane L1.

  When adjusting the interval of the trays D in the transport lane L1 with the progress stop device 12, for example, when the control device 2 detects the passage of the pop tray Dp (FIG. 16A), the levers 13L and 13R are temporarily advanced. The stop mode is set (FIG. 16B). Then, the control device 2 sets the levers 13L and 13R to the advance mode again after a predetermined time required until the dishes D reach the desired interval. Then, when the control device 2 detects the passage of the dish D (FIG. 16C), the control device 2 temporarily sets the levers 13L and 13R again to the advance stop mode (FIG. 16D). When the control device 2 repeats such processing, the interval between the dishes D flowing through the transport lane L1 is gradually adjusted. As a result, the clogging of the intervals between the dishes D flowing through the transport lane L1 is eliminated, and it is possible to eliminate the appearance of pressure.

  In addition, in the said embodiment and each modification, although the sending-out process of the stock dish Ds was performed so that the dish D following the pop dish Dp may become a predetermined number, this invention is limited to such an aspect. Is not to be done. In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the stock dish Ds may be sent out to all the empty spaces Sp behind the pop dish Dp regardless of the number of dishes D following the pop dish Dp.

1, 101 ·· Dish feeding device; 2 · · Control device; 3 · · Dish loading part; 4 · · Roller; 5 · · Dish feeding part;・ Dish detection sensor; 9 ・ ・ Dish detection sensor; 10, 15 ・ ・ Light emitting part; 11, 16 ・ ・ Light receiving part; 12 ・ ・ Progress stop device; 13L, 13R ・ ・ Lever; 14 ・ ・ Dish counting sensor; D・ ・ Dish ・ Ds ・ ・ Stock dish; Dp ・ ・ Pop dish; L1 ・ ・ Transfer lane; L2 ・ ・ Replenishment lane; LJ ・ ・ Connection

Claims (4)

It is a dish supply device that is attached to a conveying device in which a dish on which food and drink are circulated,
One end connected to the transport lane of the transport device, and a replenishment lane on which a dish to be replenished to the transport lane is placed,
In a state where the replenishment dish on which the food and drink are placed is placed on the replenishment lane, a sign indicating that the dish on which the specific type of food and drink is placed is a sign between the transport lane and the replenishment lane Passing through the connecting portion, the tray feeding means for feeding the replenishment tray to an empty space behind the sign,
Dish feeder. The dish delivery means sends the replenishment dish to an empty space behind the sign until the number of dishes following the sign reaches a predetermined number.
The dish supply apparatus according to claim 1. The dish supply device further includes a progress stopping means for stopping the progress of the tray of the transport lane approaching the connecting portion by causing an obstacle that obstructs the progress of the tray to protrude on the transport lane,
When the sign passes through the connecting portion, the dish feeding means stops the progress of the dish following the sign by the progress stopping means, and removes the dish placed in the replenishment lane from the empty space behind the sign. Send to space,
The dish supply apparatus of Claim 1 or 2. The progress stopping means stops the progress of each dish in the transport lane and adjusts the interval between the dishes.
The dish supply apparatus according to claim 3.

Images