CUTLERY SORTING AND STORAGE ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A cutlery sorting and storage assistive device comprises of, a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein base portion of the platform 1 is installed with plurality of suction cups 2 that are dedicated towards adherence of the platform 1 on the surface, a pair of blocks 5 configured within each of the compartments that are dedicated towards securing of different types of cutleries placed inside the compartments in a stacked manner, artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 installed on the platform 1 to determine type of material from which the cutleries are made of.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutlery sorting and storage assistive device that is capable of securing different types of cutleries in a stacked manner by determining type of material from which the cutleries are made of, thereby reducing the physical effort of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cutlery refers to a set of hand-held tools or utensils used for preparing, serving, and eating food. These are typically made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood, and are designed to perform specific function in the kitchen and at the dining table. Common example of cutlery includes knives, forks, spoons, plates, and bowls. These cutleries are accommodated in various ways, depending on the setting, preferences, and available storage. Traditionally, many kitchens feature cutlery trays or organizers that sort and store different types of cutleries. But these fails to secure different types of cutleries in a stacked manner.

[0003] Conventionally, some ways were used by people for securing cutleries. People usually uses cutlery trays or organizers for sorting and store different types of cutleries. While these traditional methods offer many benefits but they also pose many challenges and drawbacks. They may be limited in terms of efficiently separating and organizing various types of cutleries. Traditional method may not efficiently utilize available space present in the cutlery holders. Also, the cutlery accommodated in most of the traditional cutlery holders are exposed to the outer dust which may damage the cleaned cutlery.

[0004] US5772027A discloses about an invention that includes a storage device for cutlery having blades attached to handles. The storage device includes a protective container having an immobilizer positioned substantially entirely within the protective container for immobilizing the cutlery. The protective container and the immobilizer are movable relative to each other from a position securing the cutlery thereby preventing the cutlery from being removed to a working position allowing the cutlery to be removed from the protective container.

[0005] CA1304144C discloses about an invention that includes a device for sorting cutlery designed for it to be inserted in the device unsorted and taken out sorted. The device is characterized by a feed-in unit with a container into which the unsorted cutlery can be poured and means with the help of which it is taken unsorted out of the container; a separating unit with means for separating the pieces of cutlery taken from the feed-in unit from each other and arranging them in sequence one behind the other; a read-off unit including on the one hand a moving conveyor belt to which the separating unit is arranged to deliver the pieces of cutlery in sequence one after the other, and on the other hand a pulsator and an optical unit, with the conveyor belt having a width which is considerably less than the length of the cutlery, the pulsator emitting pulses at a tempo related to the belt speed, and the optical unit including a light source and opto-electronic means for reading off the contour of the cutlery; a sorting unit with sorting means by means of which the cutlery is brought to a receiving container intended for each piece of cutlery; a return unit in which unidentified objects are separated from the sorting device or returned to the feed-in unit; a manoeuvre unit which is coupled to a computer unit and also provided with manoeuvre means for control of the computer unit; and also the aforesaid computer unit which is linked with the manoeuvre unit, the pulsator the opto-electronic read-off means and with the sorting unit, with the computer unit being arranged so as to register signalisations of the read-off contours of the cutlery, to compare these signalisations with programmed signalisations and also, depending on the outcome of the comparison, to influence the appropriate sorting means in the sorting unit.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that is capable of securing cutleries. However, these devices are incapable of securing multiple types of cutleries in such manner that the cutleries are stacked and fails in determining type of material from which the cutleries are made of. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in drying out water accumulated on the cutleries and are insufficient in removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing a means for securing multiple types of cutleries in such manner that the cutleries are stacked by determining type of material from which the cutleries are made of, thereby reducing the physical effort of the user in storing and securing cutleries. In addition, the developed device should also dry out water accumulated on the cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries to clean out the dirt/dust.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of securing multiple types of cutleries in such manner that the cutleries are stacked by determining type of material from which the cutleries are made of, thereby reducing the physical effort of the user in storing and securing cutleries.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of drying out water accumulated on the cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries to clean out the dirt/dust.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a cutlery sorting and storage assistive device that is capable of securing multiple types of cutleries in such manner that the cutleries are stacked by determining type of material from which the cutleries are made of, thereby reducing the physical effort of the user in storing and securing cutleries. Additionally, the proposed device also provides reliability and works in an efficient manner.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cutlery sorting and storage assistive device comprises of, a platform developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein base portion of the platform is installed with plurality of suction cups that are dedicated towards adherence of the platform on the surface, a motorized slider installed centrally on the platform, wherein the slider is integrated plurality of rods arranged in a manner that arrangement between the slider and rods make multiple compartments like structure within the platform, a pair of blocks configured within each of the compartments that are dedicated towards securing of different types of cutleries placed inside the compartments in a stacked manner, and artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module installed on the platform to determine type of material from which the cutleries are made of.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, an inflatable fabric configured with each of the blocks that are inflated by an air compressor arranged on the platform, only in case the determined type is evaluated to be glass material by the microcontroller, wherein the inflated fabric exerts least pressure on the stacked cutleries and if the material is determined to be any material other than the glass, then the microcontroller keeps the air compressor in de-activated state and the blocks directly grip the cutleries to be maintained at the stacked state, an air blower arranged on the platform to blow air via multiple conduits connecting to each of the compartments to dry out water accumulated on the cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries to clean out the dirt/dust, and a battery is associated with the device that powers all electrical and electronically operated components of the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a cutlery sorting and storage assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a cutlery sorting and storage assistive device that is capable of providing a means for securing multiple types of cutleries in such manner that the cutleries are stacked by determining type of material from which the cutleries are made of, thereby reducing the physical effort of the user in storing and securing cutleries. In addition, the proposed device also dries out water accumulated on the cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries to clean out the dirt/dust.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a cutlery sorting and storage assistive device, illustrated comprising a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, base portion of the platform 1 is installed with plurality of suction cups 2, a motorized slider 3 installed centrally on the platform 1, plurality of rods 4 arranged in a manner that arrangement between the slider 3 and rods 4 make multiple compartments like structure within the platform 1, a pair of blocks 5 configured within each of the compartments, and artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 installed on the platform 1 to determine type of material from which the cutleries are made of.
[0023] The device disclosed herein, comprises of a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein base portion of the platform 1 is installed with plurality of suction cups 2 that are dedicated towards adherence of the platform 1 on the surface. The suction cups 2 are used to create a vacuum seal between the surface and the platform 1. When the suction cups 2 are pressed against the surface, the initial contact creates a seal between the cup and the surface, this seals off the area within the suction cup. The suction cup is designed to maintain a relatively airtight seal even if the surface is not perfectly smooth.

[0024] Herein, a motorized slider 3 installed centrally on the platform 1, wherein the slider 3 is integrated plurality of rods 4 arranged in a manner that arrangement between the slider 3 and rods 4 make multiple compartments like structure within the platform 1. Further, a pair of blocks 5 configured within each of the compartments that are dedicated towards securing of different types of cutleries placed inside the compartments in a stacked manner.

[0025] Herein, each of the compartments is installed with an artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller for capturing multiple images of the cutleries to determine type of material from which the cutleries are made of. The artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the cutleries.

[0026] The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the image capturing module 6 is real-time images of the cutleries. The artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines type of material from which the cutleries are made of.

[0027] Based on the determined type, the microcontroller generates a relative command. Simultaneously, an inflatable fabric configured with each of the blocks 5 that are inflated by an air compressor arranged on the platform 1 that is actuated by the microcontroller, only in case the determined type is evaluated to be glass material by the microcontroller. The air compressor extracts the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air and which is further injected in the fabric.

[0028] Further, the inflatable fabric are laminated of multiple thin polymeric films, when air is inserted in the inflatable fabric by means of air compressor, the films are puffed and the fabric becomes soft, wherein the inflated fabric exerts least pressure on the stacked cutleries and if the material is determined to be any material other than the glass, then the microcontroller keeps the air compressor in de-activated state and the blocks 5 directly grip the cutleries to be maintained at the stacked state.

[0029] At the same instant of time, an air blower arranged on the platform 1 that is directed by the microcontroller to blow air via multiple conduits connecting to each of the compartments to dry out water accumulated on the cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries to clean out the dirt/dust. The microcontroller controls the speed and intensity of the air blower and modulates the airflow based on the factors like number of cutleries, and their moisture level. The microcontroller monitors the removal process for removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries, thereby clean out the dirt/dust.

[0030] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery use a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0031] The present invention works well in following manner, where the proposed device comprises of, the platform 1 developed to be positioned on the fixed surface, plurality of suction cups 2 that are dedicated towards adherence of the platform 1 on the surface, the motorized slider 3, plurality of rods 4 arranged in the manner that arrangement between the slider 3 and rods 4 make multiple compartments like structure within the platform 1, the pair of blocks 5 within each of the compartments that are dedicated towards securing of different types of cutleries in the stacked manner, and artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 to determine type of material from which the cutleries are made of. the inflatable fabric that are inflated by the air compressor, only in case the determined type is evaluated to be glass material by the microcontroller, wherein the inflated fabric exerts least pressure on the stacked cutleries and if the material is determined to be any material other than the glass, then the microcontroller keeps the air compressor in de-activated state and the blocks 5 directly grip the cutleries to be maintained at the stacked state, the air blower to blow air via multiple conduits connecting to each of the compartments to dry out water accumulated on the cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on the cutleries to clean out the dirt/dust, and the battery that powers all electrical and electronically operated components of the device.

[0032] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A cutlery sorting and storage assistive device, comprising:

i) a platform 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein base portion of said platform 1 is installed with plurality of suction cups 2 that are dedicated towards adherence of said platform 1 on said surface;
ii) a motorized slider 3 installed centrally on said platform 1, wherein said slider 3 is integrated plurality of rods 4 arranged in a manner that arrangement between said slider 3 and rods 4 make multiple compartments like structure within said platform 1;
iii) a pair of blocks 5 configured within each of said compartments that are dedicated towards securing of different types of cutleries placed inside said compartments in a stacked manner, wherein each of said compartments is installed with an artificial intelligence enabled image capturing module 6 integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of said cutleries to determine type of material from which said cutleries are made of and a microcontroller linked with said module 6, based on said determined type, generates a relative command;
iv) an inflatable fabric configured with each of said blocks 5 that are inflated by an air compressor arranged on said platform 1, only in case said determined type is evaluated to be glass material by said microcontroller, wherein said inflated fabric exerts least pressure on said stacked cutleries and if said material is determined to be any material other than said glass, then said microcontroller keeps said air compressor in de-activated state and said blocks 5 directly grip said cutleries to be maintained at said stacked state; and
v) an air blower arranged on said platform 1 that is directed by said microcontroller to blow air via multiple conduits connecting to each of said compartments to dry out water accumulated on said cutleries as well as removing out dry dirt/dust deposited on said cutleries to clean out said dirt/dust.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motorized slider 3 is powered by a DC (Direct Current) electric motor.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device that powers all electrical and electronically operated components of said device.

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