SUPERVISORY AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FOOD-HANDLING INSTITUTIONS

• US 3,641,263 A
• Filed: 08/24/1967
• Issued: 02/08/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LIncorporatedoln Foodservice Products Incorporated (Ali Holding Srl)
• Original Assignee: Delmar D. Rhoads, Robert H. Mackay
• Inventors: Rhoads, Delmar D., MacKay, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Murray, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orsino, Jr., Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US04/663,088
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 186/1 178/DIG.1,DIG.38 318/546-548 198/21,40,42
• US Class Current: 348/89
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/06 for restaurant service systems table equipment A47G ; dirty crockery transport in association with crockery washing machines A47L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/50 according to destination signals stored in separate systems

Abstract

A system is provided for supervising and controlling the preparation of foods and related activities in a food-handling institution. The system includes a console that provides visual and audible communication with selected remote points in the food-handling institution. The system also includes a conveyor for transporting food and other articles under the control of the console or an operator at the conveyor.

Claims

1. A system for supervising and controlling the handling of food in institutions, comprising:

a. a food conveyor having a reversible-drive motor therefor;

b. first speed and direction controls for said drive motorassociated with said conveyor;

c. a control console having visual communication means and audible communication means;

d. second speed and direction controls for said drive motor associated with said control console;

e. means connecting said first and second speed and direction controls to said drive motor;

f. means associated with said control console for selectively rendering one of said first and second speed and direction controls operative;

g. a plurality of remote visual-sensing means and remote audible communication means;

h. means at said control console for selectively connecting one remote visual-sensing means to said control console visual communication means;

i. and means independent of said last-named means and at said control console for selectively connecting one remote audible communication means to said control console audible communication means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively rendering one of said first and second speed and direction controls operative comprises means positioned at said control console for rendering said first speed and direction control inoperative in response to said second speed and direction control being rendered operative.

3. The system of claim 1, and further comprising means associated with said conveyor for selectively and automatically stopping said drive motor in response to an article at the discharge end of said food conveyor.

4. A system for supervising and controlling the handling and processing of food in kitchens and like establishments, comprising:

a. a central control station having television picture display means and intercom speaking apparatus;

b. a plurality of remote communication points each having television camera means and intercom speaking apparatus;

c. means connecting each of said communication points to said control station;

d. means positioned at said control station for selectively independently connecting said television picture display means and said intercom speaking apparatus at said control station to at least one of said connecting means;

e. conveyor means positioned at one of said remote communication points, said conveyor means having a variable speed and a reversible direction drive therefor;

f. means at said one remote communication point for controlling the operation of said variable speed and reversible direction drive;

g. and means at said control station connected to said controlling means at said one remote communication point for controlling the operation of said variable speed and reversible direction drive;

said controlling means at said control station being operable to the exclusion of said controlling means at said one remote communication point.

5. The system of claim 4, and further comprising means at the discharge end of said conveyor means responsive to an article thereon, and means selectively connecting said article responsive means to said conveyor drive for stopping said conveyor drive in response to an article positioned on said article responsive means.

6. The system of claim 4, and furthEr comprising means at said conveyor which can be actuated in response to the presence of an individual article on said conveyor, means connecting said actuatable means to said control station, and indicating means at said control station connected to said last mentioned connecting means.

7. The system of claim 4, and further comprising means at the discharge end of said conveyor means responsive to the presence of an article, and means positioned at said control station and connected to said article responsive means for indicating the presence of an article at said article responsive means.

8. The system of claim 7, and comprising further means at said discharge end of said conveyor means responsive to the presence of an article, and means selectively connecting said further means to said conveyor drive for stopping said conveyor drive in response to the presence of an article at said further responsive means.