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| CLAIM Device for dosing and production of hot crackers, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it is created as a box, in which at least one hopper is installed (1 , 1a - 1d), each containing one type of flavoured crackers and each adjusted for dispensing the crackers to dosing system (2) which is adjusted for dispensing the crackers further, to baking area (3) for crackers expanding by hot air popping, located below, where further the discharge opening for distributive container (4) filled with crackers batch is placed below the baking area (3), where the other distributive containers (4) are stored in one-lane stacker (5) and the device is controlled by computerized system, which is connected to money receiving apparatus (6) as one integrated unit. |
Field of Technical Solution
Technical solution falls within sphere of automatic vending machines for fast food preparing and dispensing.
Background Art
Currently is recognized and used several types of vending machines, which allow for payment (certain money amount), inserted into a payment section of the vending machines, dispensing different types of fast food or food-stuff.
The first group includes the vending machines dispensing various, so-called piece goods. These vending machines are used primarily for dispensing individually packaged food products (wafers, biscuits, bags of candy, etc.) or products of a cold fast food (mainly various types of sandwiches). The internal mechanisms of these machines are adapted for storing of said goods to vertical or rotating storage tank and its dispensing by goods discharging to the machine bottom section, where discharge opening is located, or by turning the rotating storage tank by step mechanism into a position, in which the goods may be removed by unlocking of safety discharge opening (usually the sliding doors). The principle is similar to the vending machine, which discharge a small bottle volume (0.25 to 0.5 litre) glass or PET design with different kinds of drinks (water, mineral water, juices, etc.). System of these machines is also used for selling the cigarette-type products.
The second group includes the vending machines, which are capable to dose certain volume of bulk or granular substances to pre-made containers from hoppers, which are placed inside the machine. Pre - made containers are stocked in the inner part of the machine. These vending machines are primarily designed for dispensing of different types of coffee (preferably in grounded state, where the machine is equipped with a grinder in one section), various tea blends, sugar, rice or other legumes. The principle of such a machine is evident from CZ Patent Application PV 2002 - 2201 (priority application number 1999/FI000261 , Italy). Third, in terms of extension of probably the largest group of the vending machines includes devices for the preparation of various types of hot beverages like coffee, chocolate, cappuccino, tea or soup or cold beverages like water, flavoured water, juices, ice, etc. These devices have been manufactured in many size variations for many years and have recently penetrated in miniaturized design into homes. The principle of these devices is significantly represented by the document EP 1 465 125 A1. The principle of the vending machine is described here. Machine is able to prepare and dispense hot either cold drink. Equipment for the preparation of flavoured carbonated beverages is described in US 5 350 082. Water is flavoured by different types of flavouring syrups, and lately ice can be added inside the machine.
Assembly of production line is also recognized, which continuously produces baked flavoured crackers. They are ultimately cooled and packed in a protective atmosphere to bags. The line is assembled of many single-purpose machines, in which individual processing stage take place. Crackers produced by described technology process are available for purchase in the market network. Raw crackers are conveyed from storage hopper to baking oven. Baked crackers are further transported to oil spraying chamber. After oil application these crackers are again conveyed to spicing drum, where flavours are sprayed on the crackers (primarily a mixture of various spices and salt). Completion of crackers production process is their transporting to cooling conveyor, where their temperature is cool down. Subsequently crackers are packed or stored in cartons or containers for further packaging. This device is dimensionally demanding and the final product can be consumed only in the cold state, as well as chips.
Detailed Description of the Technical Solution
The principal of the technical solution is an automatic device for hot crackers producing and dosing, which is able to produce desired dose of baked and flavoured crackers in a relatively short time and dispense it in hot form in distributive container. This solution provides some indisputable advantages to their consumers. Food is hot, fresh and diet, because during baking process no oil or oil mist is applied. Pellets are made up for baking process in hot air. Hot crackers are dry, so that consumers do not get greasy. Crackers are pre-flavoured at their production process. Hot crackers dosing and production equipment is inbuilt in steel box, in which at least one type of pre-flavoured pellets storage tank is placed. From storage tank the pellets are dispensed to dosing system and further to baking area placed below, where crackers are hot air popped. Hot crackers distributive container with a dose in discharging area is placed under the baking apparatus, located before translocation to discharging area in at least one-lane storage tank of distributing apparatus. The device further includes computer control system connected to money receiving apparatus as one integrated unit.
Brief Description of the Drawings.
Fig. 1 describes an automatic device to produce and dose hot crackers, where the initial product is already pre-flavoured cracker.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Technical Solution
Vending machine is assembled of not here presented box, in which are stored all the different apparatus, required for its operation. Storage tank I or several storage tanks with pre-flavoured crackers, four storage tanks l a to Id in illustrated performance, each of them storing one type of pre-flavoured pellets. The crackers are dispensed to dosing system 2 from storage tanks la to Id- The performance option of dosing system 2 is various, the most accurate is dosing weighting device, which can be self contained with each storage tank la to Id. The batch size can be firmly set, or may be optional.
Crackers dosing terminates directly in the dosing area 3, in which the pellets are air popped.
Hot air is generated in a hot air unit, not shown here. Expanded crackers are transported to distributive containers 4, which are placed in the discharging area. Individual distributive containers 4 are placed in the stacker 5 before transporting to discharging area, which can be of multi-lane construction on request. Vending machine operation is controlled by computerized system, which is connected to money receiving apparatus 6 as one integrated unit. Operating cycle begins by inserting predetermined amount of money to money receiving apparatus 6. The computerized control system is activated, and optional dose selection can be set, either size of crackers dose is to be selected, when this function is provided, and selection of desired crackers flavour. Selection indication is monitored by control system and dosing operation in dosing apparatus 2 is initiated. The crackers are supplied from selected storage tank la to Id, to baking area 3. Distributive container 4 is supplied from stacker 5_to discharging area of the device. Baking process is operated after dose of crackers reach the baking area 3 and the process is included transportation of the expanded crackers to distributive containers 4. The operational cycle is completed and customer is announced to discharge the container.
Industrial Applicability
Vending machine for hot crackers production and distribution is mainly used in the public areas, where is easy to offer simple, hot and fresh snack, which simultaneously contains less fat, up to 35 % by weight in the fat component. Compare to other devices, which products contain mainly fried food, expanded crackers by hot air are significantly lower fat. Regarding the easy automatic operation of the vending machine, its integration to public and commercial areas is eligible.