JP2004508618A - Dispenser for heated food - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for automatically heating food such as popcorn, the device comprising a magazine having a compartment for storing the food, for example as a package, and a magazine for directing the selected compartment to the back of the microwave oven. It includes a rotating device and a device for forcing the lowest package or food through the flap of the microwave oven. The microwave oven is automatically heated at a predetermined temperature and time, and the bottom of the microwave oven is hinged so that the bottom of the microwave oven opens and the food or package falls after heating.

Description

[0001]
(Technical field of the invention)
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing foodstuffs, such as popcorn, pies, sausage rolls, pizza, and the like.
(Background technology)
Popcorn is conventionally manufactured in a heating vessel, which is usually transparent so that an operator can observe the heating or popping process. The popcorn is put into the package from the container by shaking. If different flavors are required, a corresponding number of containers will be required.
The operator or operators need to be appropriately skilled.
[0002]
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a device for self-service and also to eliminate the need for skilled operators. Another object of the present invention is to provide one or more food products with various flavors and some other attributes so that a buyer can select them.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that does not require an attendant.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description.
[0003]
(Disclosure of the Invention)
An apparatus for dispensing heated food according to the present invention includes a magazine adapted to be moved to any of a number of positions relative to a heating station, the magazine storing food and delivering the food to the heating station. Have been. The dispensing device further includes a device for pushing the food product into the heating station, a device for heating the pushed food product or food products at a predetermined temperature and time, and a device for removing the heated food product.
[0004]
According to a preferred form of the invention, the dispensing device also has a configuration in which at least one of the series of operations is operated by a coin.
The heating station is preferably a microwave oven having one or more food inlets from the magazine.
The magazine is preferably vertical and is rotatable about a vertical axis. The magazine can contain one or more food compartments, preferably four or more compartments arranged radially in number n.
[0005]
Delivery of the packages from the magazine to the microwave oven is preferably performed by a plunger operated by either a mechanical device or a pneumatic slave cylinder, which removes the lowest package from the selected compartment. Push into microwave oven. The back of the microwave oven is provided with a flap that opens and closes when the package is received.
The microwave is then energized and heats the package at a predetermined temperature, the microwave floor is hinged, and the package is dropped after heating on a platform or other due to the floor tilting. It is. This tilting movement of the floor is also effected by a mechanical or the same pneumatic slave cylinder.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0006]
(Best mode for carrying out the invention)
In the figure, a magazine 10 is mounted to be rotatable by a motor 12 about a vertical center axis. The magazine has four compartments 14 containing one or more food packages.
The magazine is rotated until the selected compartment is located behind microwave oven 16. This position corresponds to the first position of the dispensing device. The microwave oven has a back flap 18, which opens when the plunger 20 pushes the package 22 at the lowest position of the compartment, and the package falls onto the hinged floor 26 of the microwave. This state corresponds to the second position of the dispensing device. The plunger is operated by a pneumatic slave cylinder 30 via a chain 32. The opening and closing of the hinged floor 36 of the microwave oven is controlled by a second slave cylinder 34.
[0007]
When the package is in place, the back flap closes, the microwave circuit is switched on, and is heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. The floor 26 is then opened and the heated package falls and is received by the buyer, which corresponds to the third position of the dispensing device.
A coin operated mechanism 38 is provided to control the operation of the sequence of events, preferably beginning after the buyer selects a parcel. When the buyer inserts a coin and presses a button, a series of operations starts.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
1 is an isometric view of the device according to the invention, with the wall removed for illustration purposes.
FIG. 2
FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a section filled with a package of food such as corn.
FIG. 3
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a top portion of the apparatus and illustrates rotation of a magazine.
FIG. 4
FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a plunger mechanism and an oven floor opening / closing mechanism.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 4 but with a slight angle change.
FIG. 6
FIG. 3 is a side view of the lower section of the device in a first position.
FIG. 7
FIG. 3 is a similar view showing the device in a second position.
FIG. 8
FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the device in a third position.

Claims (9)

In the heating food dispensing device,
A magazine adapted to be moved to any of a number of positions relative to the heating station, the magazine storing food and delivering the food to the heating station, the dispensing device further comprising: Comprising: a device for pushing food into a heating station; a device for heating the pressed food or foods at a predetermined temperature and time; and a device for discharging heated food. Dispensing device. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device has a configuration in which at least one of a series of operations is operated with a coin. The dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating station is a microwave oven having one or more food inlets from a magazine. The dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magazine is vertical and rotatable about a vertical axis. The dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the magazine includes one or a plurality of compartments for food packages. The transfer of packages from the magazine to the microwave oven is performed by a plunger operated by either a mechanical device or a pneumatic slave cylinder, which plunges the lowest package from the selected compartment. The dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing device is pushed into a dispensing device. The dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein a flap is provided on a back portion of the microwave oven, and the flap is opened and closed when the microwave oven receives a package. The microwave oven is excited to heat the package at a predetermined temperature, and the floor of the microwave is hinged so that the package can be dropped on a platform or the like after heating. The dispensing device according to claim 7, which performs the dispensing. 9. The dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the floor of the microwave oven is opened and closed by a pneumatic slave cylinder.