The present invention relates to a unit for the controlled dispensing of food.

As is known, many companies provide more or less elaborate canteen services, so as to offer their employees the possibility to eat within the workplace at usually contained costs and without requiring them to equip themselves to bring along food from home.

Likewise, it can be noted that in recent times the market of frozen single portions is offering an increasingly diversified and varied choice of products of high quality and high hygiene safety, thus facilitating a change in eating habits, which are indeed increasingly interested in this type of consumption.

In a context in which the deep changes occurring in the world of work are increasingly indicating the need to contain (also) the costs until now reserved to the canteen service, it is therefore straightforward to understand that companies are increasingly oriented toward supplying frozen meals to employees. This type of food (the quality of which, as shown, is improving constantly) in fact allows to eliminate the costs associated with the provision of a kitchen (and with the personnel required to operate it), allowing to provide the canteen service by providing just one or more freezers and microwave ovens, to preserve and then heat the frozen single portions.

In the past, therefore, an attempt has been made to organize a canteen service in which the frozen food manufacturer provided the interested company with the meals, the freezers, the ovens, and any other necessary equipment, therefore without any supervision of personnel assigned to the service.

This unquestionably interesting initiative was affected by some limitations that caused its failure: ovens and freezers were often used to hold (also) products other than those sold by the canteen operator. Furthermore, since personnel was not present (as indeed wanted, in order to contain costs), it was not possible to monitor the withdrawals of the products, which sometimes were removed without any payment.

More generally, it is easy to note that the need to control the withdrawal and unloading of food intended for preservation at controlled temperature occurs in various contexts and fields of application in which moreover the shortcomings and inadequacy of known solutions become evident.

Merely by way of example, consider the minibars with which every hotel room is now furnished and in which snacks and beverages are stored and made available to users. As is known, sometimes it is difficult to collect the exact payment of the consumed food, since the corresponding amount is charged by relying on the statements of the customer when he leaves the room, and therefore this amount can be altered easily if the customer is dishonest.

Similar problems can be observed also in freezers placed in bars or similar commercial concerns from which ill-intentioned patrons can try to remove ice creams or other food without making the respective payment.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by providing a unit that offers practical and effective methods for control for food of various types.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to devise a unit that allows to monitor and/or regulate access to a container of food.

Another object of the invention is to devise a unit that allows to offer a canteen service in which frozen meals and other items are made available to users in a controlled manner, avoiding abuses, even without the supervision of dedicated personnel.

Another object of the invention is to devise a unit that allows to monitor the placements and withdrawals of food placed or to be placed in a predefined controlled-temperature container. Another object of the invention is to devise a unit that can be obtained easily by reusing materials and components that are already commercially available.

Another object of the invention is to devise a unit that offers practical and quick methods for accounting for the food introduced in a container or withdrawn from it.

Another object of the invention is to devise a unit that ensures high reliability in operation.

Another object of the invention is to devise a unit that has low costs and is safe in application.

This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a unit for the controlled dispensing of food, comprising a container that defines a controlled-temperature chamber for accommodating and preserving food of various types, characterized in that it comprises a modular framework, which is inserted in said chamber and defines a plurality of accommodation modules for the food, each one of said modules comprising a recess that is closed detachably by a respective door and being functionally associated with a central electronic unit, for controlling the accesses to said recesses.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the unit according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a unit according to the invention, in a possible embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a possible mode of operation of the unit of Figure 1.

With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a unit for the controlled dispensing of food A, which comprises a container 2, which in turn defines a controlled-temperature chamber 3 in which it is therefore possible to accommodate and preserve food A of various types.

As will become better apparent from the description of the pages that follow, it is specified right now that the unit 1 is intended -to be applied in several sectors whenever, in professional but also domestic contexts, the need arises to monitor or control accesses to a container 2 in which food A of any kind is to be placed and/or withdrawn (after more or less long periods of time).

According to the invention, the unit 1 comprises a modular framework 4, which is inserted in the chamber 3 and indeed defines a plurality of accommodation modules 5 for the food A.

Each module 5 comprises a recess 6 that is closed detachably by a respective door 7; moreover, each module 5 is functionally associated with a central electronic unit, which controls accesses to the recesses 6.

It is appropriate to point out that control can occur in several manners, which are in any case within the protective scope claimed herein (in the paragraphs that follow, some of these manners will be described by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention). Furthermore, it is useful to specify that the term "access" is understood to reference any manner of interaction with the recesses 6, including therefore first of all the simple monitoring of accesses, with the optional possibility to record withdrawals and/or placements (or the simple opening of the doors 7, "access" thereby meaning the simple possibility to withdraw or place). Furthermore, among the interaction manners there are also more complex ones, in which for example the central electronic unit, as will become apparent hereinafter, is capable of allowing or preventing withdrawal or placement.

In particular, in the preferred application the container 2 is of the type of a fridge or freezer (although it might be an oven or another device), so as to be able to accommodate and preserve inside it, in the preferred but not exclusive application of the invention, portions (or single portions) of fresh or frozen food A. In this context, the food may be any and may therefore be first courses, second courses, side dishes, etc.

The container 2 therefore comprises, in this preferred application, a typically boxlike shell 8, with which the devices, even of a known type, required to maintain in the chamber 3 and therefore in the recesses 6 the desired temperature (for example between 4°C and 6°C if the container 2 is a fridge, between - 16°C and -18°C if the container 2 is a freezer), are associated.

Although the production and marketing of units 1 according to the invention in which the container 2 is entirely provided for the application described herein is not excluded, the use of fridges or freezers of a commercial type, optionally using products that are already commercially available and/or owned by the end customer, is also provided.

By inserting therefore the framework 4 (sized appropriately) in an existing shell 8, it is thus possible to continue to use equipment that is otherwise obsolete or in any case intended to be replaced (and therefore abandoned), with an evident cost saving.

Conveniently, the central electronic unit comprises a processor (of the type of those installed in computers, for example), which is associated with a memory unit, in which it is thus possible to store information related to the food A accommodated in each recess 6.

It should be noted that the stored information may be any, in view of the specific requirements and of the manner of operation to be adopted. By way of example, this information may therefore relate to the nature, ingredients, formulations and/or expiration dates of the various food items A that are accommodated or that might be accommodated in the container 2 (creating a sort of data bank that is also suitable for subsequent changes in the range of food products A to be stored in the modules 5).

Even more particularly, in a first embodiment of the unit 1 according to the invention, shown in the accompanying figures, the unit 1 comprises an independent station 9, which can be arranged proximate to the container 2 (and for example can comprise a column-like structure that is arranged to the side of the shell 8, as indeed in the accompanying figures).

The station 9 comprises the central electronic unit and has an interface, which is associated with the processor and in turn comprises at least one screen 10 and input means (which can be buttons of various kinds or can be integrated in such screen 10, if it is chosen of the touch screen type).

The screen 10 therefore allows to view (for the benefit of the user) the stored information (including images) related to the food A accommodated in the container 2, while the input means evidently allow interaction between the central electronic unit and the user.

In a different embodiment, which does not exhaust the possible embodiments that are in any case within the protective scope claimed herein, the processor is accommodated directly in the container 2, which in turn has an interface along an outer face thereof.

In this case also, the interface (which can be used in the manner described above) comprises at least one screen (for example of the type of the screen 10 cited earlier) for displaying information (including images) related to the food A accommodated in the container 2 and input means (also for example of the type indicated in relation to the solution of the accompanying figures) in order to allow interaction between the central electronic unit and a user.

Conveniently, in order to ensure an operating mode of particular practical interest, which is described by way of example and without limiting the application of the invention, in the unit 1 according to the invention at least some modules 5 (and preferably all of them) comprise respective local locks, each of which is usually arranged in a configuration for locking the corresponding door 7. Each of said local locks (chosen even of a known type) therefore allows to prevent access to the corresponding recess 6.

Furthermore, each local lock is controlled by the already mentioned central electronic unit, so that clearance to access the recess 6 (in order to place or most of all withdraw food A) is given (for example electrically) exclusively following a command for the temporary deactivation of the corresponding local lock, which is imparted by such central electronic unit.

Positively, and with particular reference to the manner of operation introduced earlier, the processor is associated with an information technology medium (even of a known type) for a software for the management of the mutually independent deactivation of the local locks.

This software can thus provide individual clearance for access to a specific recess 6, as a consequence of the choice of the corresponding food A (of course not before storing in the memory unit the information related to the content of each recess 6), performed by a user by means of the interface of the central electronic unit.

Furthermore, in this operating mode, deactivation is dependent on the verification, on the part of the software, of the possession of a clearance of the user to withdraw the chosen food A. Of course, the possibility to adopt manners of operation in which this verification is at least temporarily no longer performed is not excluded.

It is specified that this enabling is understood here in a broad sense (as well as its verification): the software can instead in fact be programmed, for example to check that the user who makes the request for a food item A has an identification code, which indeed corresponds to an individual cleared for withdrawal.

As an alternative, the interface can comprise a payment area 1 1 (in cash or by means of pre-loaded cards or keys), by means of which indeed the user can pay or deduct the amount that corresponds to the chosen food A. In any case, only following this verification does the central electronic unit unlock the corresponding module 5, thus allowing to open the door 7 and to withdraw the food A contained in the recess 6.

This evidently prevents improper uses of the container 2 and in general of the unit 1 according to the invention: the user is denied access to the modules 5 for which he is not cleared, thus preventing the removal of food items A for which he has not made the payment, or simply avoiding the danger of uses for personal purposes of the recesses 6 (to store therein food items A other than the intended ones).

Moreover, the software is provided with FIFO logic systems (or with other inventory management logic systems), so that if the same chosen food A is contained in a plurality of modules 5, the central electronic unit automatically chooses the one that has been accommodated in a container 2 for the longest time, unlocking the corresponding door 7.

Favorably, the unit 1 according to the invention comprises a central lock, which is usually arranged so as to lock a main door 2a of the container 2, the door 2a being in turn usually arranged so as to close the chamber 3.

In a manner similar to what has been observed for the local locks, the central lock (which also can be chosen of a substantially known type) is controlled by the central electronic unit, so as to give clearance to access the chamber 3 exclusively following a command for temporary deactivation of such central lock imparted by the electronic unit.

Again, therefore, it is possible to render the opening of the container 2 (even before the modules 5) dependent on a verification, on the part of the software (appropriately programmed and set up in this sense) that the user has clearance to withdraw the chosen food A.

In order to provide different manners of operation, or to integrate and complete the one outlined above, the unit 1 according to the invention can comprise advantageously means for the automatic detection of access to at least one respective recess 6. Such means are functionally associated with the central electronic unit, so as to allow the latter to acquire information related to the (at least potential) withdrawal or placement of food A in the corresponding recess 6.

Any. type of electronic device or sensor capable of detecting these accesses can be used for the purpose described above without abandoning the protective scope claimed herein: by way of illustration, the possibility is mentioned that such means might comprise at least one sensor for detecting the motion of a respective door 7.

Preferably, each door 7 (or in a case a plurality of doors) is provided with a respective detection sensor: in this manner, the simple opening of the door 7 causes the sending of a corresponding information item to the central electronic unit.

This possibility is extremely interesting for example in minibars placed in hotel rooms (or in any case wherever various food items A are preserved in unsupervised containers 2 and in which one in any case does not wish to prevent access by means of locks).

By resorting to the unit 1 according to the invention it is in fact possible to identify promptly and account for any access to a specific module 5, and therefore when the customer withdraws a snack or beverage from the minibar (and more precisely from one of the recesses 6) the central electronic unit detects the opening of the corresponding door 7 and can therefore automatically charge the corresponding cost to the customer (of course, after storing beforehand in the memory unit the information related to the content of each module 5).

In this manner it is evident that the unit 1 can effectively prevent any unauthorized removal of food A from the minibar (or other container 2).

In a further embodiment (or as a further integration of one of the manners of operation cited above), at least some modules 5 (and preferably all of them) have a respective first electronic label, such as a bar code, a QR code, an RFID, and the like, which can be for example applied to the corresponding door 7 and detected by an optical reader (preferably of the type of a gun, which can therefore be gripped in a practical manner by the user) which is associated with the central electronic unit.

In this configuration it is thus possible to send to the electronic unit the information related to the specific module 5 affected by the withdrawal or placement of a food item A (indeed while this withdrawal/placement is being performed), by indeed reading, on the part of the optical device, the corresponding first label.

Therefore, the user assigned to filling the various modules 5 can easily and promptly provide the central electronic unit with information related to the arrangement of the food items A within the various modules 5 simply by reading the first label of the module 5 when it places a specific food item A (which in turn is indicated to the central unit for example by means of the input means 10, or by resorting to the function that will be described hereinafter in the present description).

Obviously, the presence of first labels associated with each module 5 can give other useful functionalities to the unit 1 according to the invention and/or can assist the users in other steps of work or of use of the unit 1 without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.

Usefully, in order to provide additional or alternative manners of operation, some modules 5 (and preferably all of them) have an optical sensor for reading respective second electronic labels, of the type of a bar code, a Q code, and RFID, and the like, which can be already placed on food items of various types (or can be applied preliminarily on the food items A by the user himself or by whomever in any case manages the unit 1 according to the invention).

The optical sensor can for example be incorporated directly in the walls of the recess 6 (at its inlet) or on the door 7, so as to detect automatically the transit (withdrawal or placement) of any food item A provided with a respective second label. In this manner the sending to the electronic unit of the information related to the specific module 5 affected by the withdrawal or deposit of a food item A is achieved in a practical manner indeed by means of the reading, by the optical sensor, of the corresponding second label.

In this case also, therefore, the information related to the handling of food items and beverages (provided with a respective second label) is provided automatically to the central electronic unit for their management, sharing and/or accounting, rapidly and substantially automatically, since the simple transit of the food items A is detected by the electronic unit (taking care of course to expose the second label to the optical sensor).

As can be deduced from Figure 2, it should also be noted that the framework 4 also forms at least one receptacle 12, which is similar to the other modules 5 but is larger and is intended (for example) to contain reserves of various food items A, which are not available to the user but are suitable to constitute a reserve that is immediately available in order to replenish the desired quantities if necessary.

As has been shown, therefore, in its various possible manners of operation (and by resorting to the various described components), the unit 1 is capable of ensuring practical and effective methods of control of the accesses to the various recesses 6 formed by the framework 4, inserted in the chamber 3 of the container 2.

This offers various manners of operation and use, which are in any case advantageous and some of which have been described by way of example in the preceding pages.

First of all, in fact, it has been shown that resorting to local locks (and optionally also to a central lock), arranged so as to lock the doors 7, allows to render access to the recesses 6 (and withdrawal of food items A) dependent on verification of the clearance of the user.

This allows, for example, to provide an innovative canteen service in a practical and easy manner. By installing the unit 1 according to the invention in a predefined company space (and by setting the central electronic unit and the software appropriately), each employee can in fact use the interface to choose the desired food item A and pay the corresponding amount. Thus, the central electronic unit temporarily deactivates the corresponding local lock, indeed allowing to withdraw the chosen food item A (and only that item).

The canteen service thus set up requires no supervision by assigned personnel (not even for cooking or preparing food, if the food A is frozen), but avoids the danger of improper uses of the container 2 and of unauthorized removals of food A.

The detection means already described instead allow, in an absolutely practical manner, to keep monitored the withdrawals of food items A (not controlled by locks), for example placed in a minibar of a hotel (or, in a fully similar manner), in a fridge of a bar or another commercial concern.

In fact, the detection means allow to detect the simple opening of a door 7, thus sending specific information to the central electronic unit (for accounting or for simple notification to the operator of the unit 1 ).

Resorting to optical sensors or devices for reading the first or second labels, as already described extensively in the preceding pages, offers additional interesting manners of operation, in which access control determines a practical and easy method of accounting for food and beverages introduced in the container 2 or withdrawn from it.

Moreover, by means of the optical device it is also possible to acquire information related to the individual who performs the withdrawal or placement (if such individual has been provided preliminarily with a first label). This is extremely useful in order to maintain the information related for example to who performed the periodic replacement of the reserves of food items in the various modules 5 (and/or in the receptacle 12).

It is specified that the withdrawal and placement manners are extremely simplified, by resorting to the unit 1 according to the invention, and this allows usefully to assign this activity even to unqualified personnel, with obvious savings in cost and logistical simplification.

More generally, the various functions described so far for the unit 1 allow to have constantly under control the situation of the food items A that are present in the container 2, as well as of the withdrawn ones, in order to manage the unit 1 and the service provided by it in the best possible way.

It should be noted, further, that although the manners of operation of the unit 1 described in the preceding pages are substantially aimed at professional users, the possibility to store information in a memory unit, related to the content of various modules 5 defined in a fridge or in a freezer, is interesting for private homes as well.

In this context, in fact, the unit 1 allows to have available at all times, for example, the permanence time of the food items in the container 2, sending for example a notification to the user if the expiration date is approaching.

In practice it has been found that the unit according to the invention achieves fully the intended aim, since resorting to a modular framework, inserted in the chamber inside the container and defining a plurality of accommodation modules for the food items, functionally associated with a central electronic unit, for controlling access to the recesses comprised in each module, allows to provide a unit that offers practical and effective manners for controlling food items of various types.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. BO2015A000159 (102015902341982), from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.