FOOD-CONTAINER PACKING ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A food-container packing assistive device, comprising a body 101 positioned on a fixed surface, motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath body 101 to move body 101 over surface, a plate 103 integrated on body 101 for enabling a user to accommodate multiple containers stored with an eatable, a microphone 104 integrated in body 101 for user input, a motorized roller 105 for unwrapping/wrapping sheet, robotic clippers 106 arranged on body 101 for acquiring a grip of ends of unwrapped sheet, an electronically controlled nozzle 107 integrated on body 101 via a link 108 for releasing a food preserving gas in containers, a vacuum pump 110 is arranged on plate 103 to secure gas, Peltier units 111 integrated in flap to provide heating effect on flap, a motorized hinge joint 112 configured with flap for getting opened/closed.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a food-container packing assistive device that is capable of accommodating multiple containers and accordingly covering the container as per the user requirement in view of packaging the container in a precise and an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various arrangements are known for packaging of food in order to keep the food warm and remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period. Food packaging tool play a pivotal role in preserving freshness, ensuring safety, and enhancing convenience in the food industry. The current methods of food packaging often encounter challenges related to preserving freshness, extending shelf life, and preventing spoilage. Further, they are not particularly suitable for transport of higher quality meals such as a restaurant prepared meal.

[0003] Traditionally, the food container is packing manually by using various traditional method such as using banana leaves, cotton clothes, clay pot, animal skin etc. Banana leaves are used to wrap and pack food items. The leaves provide a natural and biodegradable packaging material and Fabric wraps made from cotton, linen, or other textiles are commonly used to wrap and carry food items. While these traditional methods offer some benefits but they also pose several challenges and drawbacks. Traditional packaging techniques not provide sufficient protection against oxygen exposure, moisture, and microbial contamination, leading to premature food deterioration and waste. Additionally, conventional packaging materials may lack the ability to adapt to varying food shapes and sizes, resulting in inefficient use of packaging space and increased costs

[0004] CN103303586A discloses about the invention relates to a kind of invention provides a food packaging device and an application method. A conventional food packaging device only has one part for packaging food, the food packaging device provided by the invention is additionally provided with an additional part, simultaneously, at least one tearing port or self-sealing strip is arranged, and the parts are combined in different manners as follows: a plurality of cavities are produced on one packaging device and taken as different parts of the packaging device, the cavities are tiled or stacked, or at least one additional cavity is further formed through sealing when an ordinary package bag is packaged and sealed, the cavities form a whole, and the tearing port is formed in the side edge of the packaging device. The additional part is used for accommodating food seasoning, small and simple tableware or small promotion articles, accordingly, a consumer can conveniently eat the food, and simultaneously, the product competitiveness can be increased. Although CN'586 is an invention relates to a device that packing food containe by sealing upper part of the container. However, the invention discussed above is not capable of preserving a food inside the packaging over an extended period and ensure the food remains appetizing and safe for consumption

[0005] CN205150564U discloses about an invention that relates to model discloses a food package bag, wrapping bag body and shell bag, the top of wrapping bag body is equipped with a heat -seal strip, wrapping bag body upper portion is equipped with transversely from strip of paper used for sealing no. 1 with the heat -seal strip is parallel, this internally vertically is equipped with one from strip of paper used for sealing no. 2 at least the wrapping bag, this integument of wrapping bag is proclaimed oneself a two compartment and is become a plurality of independent parcels, the positive middle part of wrapping bag body is equipped with attaches the bag, the shell bag is connected to back connection shell bag side, the wrapping bag body is openly including hot pressed BOPP layer, PET layer and PE layer, the back includes hot pressed BOPP layer, VMPET layer and PE layer. The utility model discloses a vertical setting makes food package bag separate into a plurality of inner wrappings and uses from strip of paper used for sealing no. 2, does to be the mixed use of a big packing, set up the shell bag, put into the shell wherein, give people and brought great convenient time protection sanitation, the wrapping bag body back is whole opaque, but is the stratum lucidum openly to transparent part is smaller, and whole product is more pleasing to the eye. Although CN'564 discloses about an invention that relates to a device for food packaging by using multiple inner wrapping to cover the food. However, the invention discussed above is not capable of preserving the food inside the packaging over an extended period and also lack in activate and deactivate through the user voice command.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices available that are capable in packaging food container, but there are no devices are available which is capable of preserving the eatable inside the container by dispensing an optimum amount preserving gas into the container, thereby ensuring that the eatable remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of accommodating multiple containers and cover the container as per the user requirement for packaging a food container in a precise and an automated manner. Also there exists need to develop a device which is capable preserving food inside the packaging and ensuring that the eatable remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period.

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 accommodating multiple containers and accordingly cover the container as per the user requirement in view of packaging a food container in a precise and an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of preserving the eatable inside the container by dispensing an optimum amount preserving gas into the container, thereby ensuring that the eatable remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of activating and deactivating through the user voice command and initiate the food containers packing without human intervention.

[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 food-container packing assistive device that is capable of packaging a food container in an automated manner. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of preserving the food inside the container by dispensing an optimum amount preserving gas into the container, thereby ensuring that the eatable remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a food-container packing assistive device, comprising a body developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, further (range in 2-3) of motorized wheels are arranged underneath the housing to move the body over the surface, a plate integrated on the body for enabling a user to accommodate multiple containers stored with an eatable, a microphone integrated in the body for enabling a user to provide input voice commands for activating/deactivating the device, motorized roller coiled with a sheet that is actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for unwrapping/wrapping the sheet, followed by actuation of a pair of robotic clippers arranged on the body for acquiring a grip of ends of the unwrapped sheet to position the sheet over the containers, followed by a motorized sliding unit integrated in between the plate and the body for translating the plate to position the containers underneath edges of multiple sections carved on a flap configured with the body, an electronically controlled nozzle integrated on the body by means of a hollow telescopically operated link that is actuated by the microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning the nozzle in each of the container for releasing a food preserving gas includes but not limited to Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen for reducing content of oxygen in the container to preserve the eatable in the containers, thereafter a vacuum pump is arranged on the plate for creating a negative pressure to properly arrange the sheet over the container to secure the gas, multiple of Peltier units( range in between 4-6) integrated in the flap that is actuated by the microcontroller to provide heating effect on the flap, followed by actuation of a motorized hinge joint configured with the flap to provide converging/diverging movement to the flap for getting opened/closed, in view of arranging the heated surface over the sheet, in a manner that edges of the flap aligns with edges of the containers, thereby assisting the user in packaging the containers and a speaker is installed on the body that is actuated by the microcontroller to produce audio signals for notifying the user to collect the packaged containers.

[0015] 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

[0016] 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 food-container packing assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The present invention relates to a food-container packing assistive device that is capable of packaging a food container in an automated manner. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of preserving the food inside the container by dispensing an optimum amount preserving gas into the container, thereby ensuring that the eatable remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view a food-container packing assistive device is illustrated, comprising a body 101 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, multiple of motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath the body 101, a plate 103 integrated on the body 101, a microphone 104 integrated in the body 101, a motorized roller 105 installed on the body 101, a pair of robotic clippers 106 arranged on the body 101, an electronically controlled nozzle 107 integrated on the body 101 via a hollow telescopically operated link 108, a chamber 109 integrated in the body 101, a vacuum pump 110 is arranged on the plate 103, multiple of Peltier units 111 integrated in the flap, a motorized hinge joint 112 configured with the flap, a speaker 113 is installed on the body 101.

[0022] The proposed device includes a body 101 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface and multiple of motorized wheels 102 (range in 2-3) are arranged underneath the housing to move the body 101 over the surface. The body 101 is cast with highly durable materials and is rigid in nature with a flat cuboidal shape, offering a large space to accommodate multiple mechanical and electrical units. The body 101 is constructed from sturdy and robust materials that may include but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum. These materials offer rigidness and robustness to the body 101 making the body 101 resistant to mechanical stress and pressure.

[0023] Further, a plate 103 integrated on the body 101 for enabling a user to accommodate multiple containers stored with an eatable and a microphone 104 integrated in the body 101 for enabling a user to provide input voice commands for activating/deactivating the device. The microphone 104 contains a small diaphragm connected to a moving coil. When sound waves of the voice of the user's input hit the diaphragm, the diaphragm vibrates. This causes the coil to move back and forth in the magnet's field, generating an electrical current, the signal of which are sent to the microcontroller to process and activate the device.

[0024] As the user activate the device, an inbuilt microcontroller activates a motorized roller 105 coiled with a sheet to rotate for unwrapping/wrapping the sheet. The motorized roller 105 comprises a disc coupled with a motor via a shaft wherein upon receiving the command from the microcontroller by the motor, the motor starts to rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction in order to provide movement to the roller 105 via the shaft. The roller 105 thus rotates for unwrapping/wrapping the sheet.

[0025] As the sheet unwrapped, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic clippers 106 arranged on the body 101 for acquiring a grip of ends of the unwrapped sheet to position the sheet over the containers. The motorized clippers 106 are operated by a pair of handles which are alternately squeezed together and released for griping or releasing the sheet and are driven by the motor which makes the blades of clip to oscillate from side to side. Upon actuation of the motorized clippers 106 by the microcontroller the motor rotates the blade to oscillate in order to grip the ends of the unwrapped sheet to position the sheet over the containers.

[0026] Upon the sheet position over the container, the microcontroller actuate a motorized sliding unit integrated in between the plate 103 and the body 101 for translating the plate 103 to position the containers underneath edges of multiple sections carved on a flap configured with the body 101. The sliding unit consists of a pair of sliding rails fabricated with grooves in which the wheel of a slider is positioned that is further connected with a bi-directional motor via a shaft. The microcontroller actuates the bi-directional motor to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction that aids in the rotation of the shaft, wherein the shaft converts the electrical energy into rotational energy for allowing movement of the wheel to translate over the sliding rail by a firm grip on the grooves. The movement of the sliding unit results in the translation of the plate 103 to position the containers underneath edges of multiple sections carved on the flap.

[0027] Thereafter, an electronically controlled nozzle 107 integrated on the body 101 by means of a hollow telescopically operated link 108 that is actuated by the microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning the nozzle 107 in each of the container. The extension of the link 108 is powered by a pneumatic unit associated with the device and includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston. The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air. The air compressor consists of two main parts including a motor and a pump 110. The motor propels the compressor pump 110 which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend which extends the link 108 to position the nozzle 107 in each of the container.

[0028] Upon positioning the nozzle 107 in each of the container, the microcontroller actuates the electronic controlled nozzle 107 that is consists of a gate, and a magnetic coil which is energized by the microcontroller, on energizing the magnetic coil force is generated which pushes the gate to open thus allowing the food preserving gas to flow out of the nozzle 107 and dispense in the containers food to preserve the eatable.

[0029] The preserving gas stored in the chamber 109 integrated in the body 101 that includes but not limited to Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen, for reducing content of oxygen in the container, effectively creating an environment that inhibits the growth of bacteria and slows down oxidation processes. By minimizing oxygen exposure, the freshness and shelf life of the eatable are extended, ensuring that the eatable remains appetizing and safe for consumption over an extended period.

[0030] Upon dispensing gas into the container, the microcontroller actuates a vacuum pump 110 is arranged on the plate 103 for creating a negative pressure to properly arrange the sheet over the container to secure the gas. The vacuum pump 110 creating a vacuum to generate negative pressure within a covering sheet. This is facilitated by a combination of components: the pliable suction cup forms an airtight seal against the ring, while a piston mechanism enables controlled movement for extension and retraction. As activated, the vacuum pump 110 removes air from the space between the sheet and container, causing the properly arrange the sheet over the container to secure the gas.

[0031] Furthermore, multiple of Peltier units 111(range in 2-3) integrated in the flap that is actuated by the microcontroller to provide heating effect on the flap. The Peltier unit consists of multiple pairs of semiconductor materials, typically made of bismuth telluride or other thermoelectric materials. These pairs are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel. Each pair consists of a p-type and an n-type semiconductor. When a direct current is applied to the Peltier unit, electrons flow from the n-type semiconductor to the p-type semiconductor on one side of the module, while on the other side, electrons flow in the opposite direction. As the electrons move, they transfer thermal energy with them. At the junctions of the semiconductor pairs, heat is either absorbed or released depending on the direction of the current flow. This means that one side of the unit becomes cooler, while the other side becomes hotter. Upon the activation, the Peltier unit use Peltier effect and transfer optimum amount of heat to the flap, in view of arranging the heated surface over the sheet, in a manner that edges of the flap aligns with edges of the containers.

[0032] Additionally, a tactile sensor is embedded on the body 101 for determining hardness of the sheet. The tactile sensor detects the hardness of the sheet by measuring the force of contact between the sensor and the surface of sheet. The sensor is typically a small, flat component that is placed against surface of the sheet and then pressed down. As the force of contact increases, the sensor measures the amount of pressure being applied and sends a signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then interprets the signal and determines the hardness of the sheet in order to regulate the actuation of the vacuum pump 110 and the Peltier units 111 accordingly.

[0033] Followed by, the microcontroller actuates a motorized hinge joint 112 configured with the flap to provide converging/diverging movement to the flap. The motorized hinge joint 112 comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the flap. The leaf is connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anti-clockwise aids in opening and closing of the hinge respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge that in turn provides movement to the flap to provide converging/diverging movement to the flap for getting opened/closed, in view of arranging the heated surface over the sheet, in a manner that edges of the flap aligns with edges of the containers, thereby assisting the user in packaging the containers.

[0034] Upon the containers get packed, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 113 is installed on the body 101 to produce audio signals for notifying the user. The speaker 113 works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm's vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to notify the user to collect the packaged containers.

[0035] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0036] The present invention work well in the following manner, where the body 101 as disclosed in the invention is positioned on the fixed surface, followed by multiple of motorized wheels 102 (range in 2-4) are arranged underneath the housing to move the body 101 over the surface. Further, the plate 103 integrated on the body 101 for enabling the user to accommodate multiple containers stored with an eatable. Followed by, the microphone 104 for enabling the user to provide input voice commands for activating/deactivating the device. Then, the motorized roller 105 coiled with the sheet that is actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for unwrapping/wrapping the sheet, followed by actuation of the pair of robotic clippers 106 arranged on the body 101 for acquiring the grip of ends of the unwrapped sheet to position the sheet over the containers. Furthermore, the motorized sliding unit for translating the plate 103 to position the containers underneath edges of multiple sections carved on the flap configured with the body 101. Then, the hollow telescopically operated link 108 that is actuated by the microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning the nozzle 107 in each of the container, for releasing the food preserving gas in the chamber 109. Then, the vacuum pump 110 for creating the negative pressure to properly arrange the sheet over the container to secure the gas. Then, the multiple of Peltier units 111 (range in 4-6) that is actuated by the microcontroller to provide heating effect on the flap, followed by actuation of the motorized hinge to provide converging/diverging movement to the flap for getting opened/closed, in view of arranging the heated surface over the sheet, in the manner that edges of the flap aligns with edges of the containers, thereby assisting the user in packaging the containers. Additionally, the tactile sensor for determining hardness of the sheet, based on which the microcontroller regulates actuation of the vacuum pump 110 and the Peltier units 111 upon completion of packaging, the microcontroller actuate the speaker 113 to produce audio signals for notifying the user to collect the packaged containers.

[0037] 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 food-container packing assistive device, comprising:

i) a body 101 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein plurality of motorized wheels 102 are arranged underneath said body 101 to move said body 101 over said surface;
ii) a plate 103 integrated on said body 101 for enabling a user to accommodate multiple containers stored with an eatable, wherein a microphone 104 integrated in said body 101 for enabling a user to provide input voice commands for activating/deactivating said device;
iii) a motorized roller 105 coiled with a sheet that is actuated by said microcontroller to rotate for unwrapping/wrapping said sheet, followed by actuation of a pair of robotic clippers 106 arranged on said body 101 for acquiring a grip of ends of said unwrapped sheet to position said sheet over said containers, wherein a motorized sliding unit integrated in between said plate 103 and said body 101 for translating said plate 103 to position said containers underneath edges of multiple sections carved on a flap configured with said body 101;
iv) an electronically controlled nozzle 107 integrated on said body 101 by means of a hollow telescopically operated link 108 that is actuated by said microcontroller to extend/retract for positioning said nozzle 107 in each of said container, for releasing a food preserving gas stored in a chamber 109 integrated in said body 101, in said containers, wherein a vacuum pump 110 is arranged on said plate 103 for creating a negative pressure to properly arrange said sheet over said container to secure said gas; and
v) plurality of Peltier units 111 integrated in said flap that is actuated by said microcontroller to provide heating effect on said flap, followed by actuation of a motorized hinge joint 112 configured with said flap to provide converging/diverging movement to said flap for getting opened/closed, in view of arranging said heated surface over said sheet, in a manner that edges of said flap aligns with edges of said containers, thereby assisting said user in packaging said containers.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is embedded on said body 101 for determining hardness of said sheet, based on which said microcontroller regulates actuation of said vacuum pump 110 and said Peltier units 111.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said food preserving gas includes but not limited to Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen, for reducing content of oxygen in said container to preserve said eatable.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a speaker 113 is installed on said body 101 that is actuated by said microcontroller to produce audio signals for notifying said user to collect said packaged containers.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

Documents