Automatic distributor for juices extracted from fresh fruit

A refrigerated automatic distributor (51) for juices extracted from fresh fruits (53) comprising a fruit or vegetable stocking store (52), a juice extraction device (54) for extracting juice from fruits or vegetables, a fruit moving mechanism for moving the fruits or vegetables between the stocking store and the extraction device, a mouth (26) of access to a container (33) for the juice and an electronic control unit (31). The distributor (51) further comprises a sealing device (41) for sealing the container (33) with the juice extracted and to be dispensed and in which the electronic control unit (31) is provided for activating the sealing device (41) on request of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automatic distributor for juices extracted from fresh fruit.

Specifically, the invention relates to an automatic distributor refrigerated for juices extracted from fresh fruit, comprising a fruit or vegetable stocking store for fruit or vegetable, a juice extraction device for extracting juices from fruit or vegetable, a moving mechanism for moving the fruit or vegetable between the stocking store and the extraction device, an access mouth of access to a container for the juice and an electronic control unit, according to the introductory portion of the main claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatic distributors (Vending Machines) are known in the market, which distribute juices of citrus fruit, for instance oranges, obtained through squeezing machines from fruits cut in two portions, for an optimal extraction of the juices. Distributors of this type are used in commercial centers and, in general, in large locations of sale and transit, where vending machines for drinks and packaged foods are already present. An innovative aspect of the juice obtained from squeezing machines consists in the tasting and nutritional qualities. In fact juices from fresh fruit are much better with respect to the ones of the industry, generally subjected to extraction and preservative processes hardly stressful towards molecules and anthocyanins.

With different technology, the fruit juices can be also extracted by centrifugation from fine cut fruits and vegetables. It is obtained by simple centrifuges in domestic field with manual feeding cutting of the fruits and manual washing of the centrifuge after disassembly of the components. In the past, an automatic distributor for juices from fruits and vegetables has been also proposed, providing fine cutting of the fruits or vegetables and centrifugation with automatic actuation.

The market has currently determined the success of mixed juices got from different fruits or vegetable, with an integrated complex of vitamins as for A.C.E. juice or similar. The request for these juices is currently satisfied either by bar counter preparations, trough centrifugation of fruits or vegetables with high content of fibers, or through bottle distribution of industrially produced juices. The juices are also distributed by refrigerated distributors loaded with packaged products supplied by the alimentary industries, which are mixed on serving the drink. There result evident the limits and the drawbacks of such distribution, connected with the use of variously processed and preserved juices, and presenting reduced organoleptic and healty properties.

On the other hand, the use of sealed containers for distributing juices or drinks is very appreciated to users, because it ensures liberty of transport for the drinks, under best hygienical conditions and without danger of overflow and contaminations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to carry out an automatic distributor for juices, got from fruit fresh at the moment of the request, which is provided for supplying juices such to maintain unchanged the healty and nutritional qualities in containers to be sealed immediately after the supply of the juice.

According to this object, the refrigerated automatic distributor comprises a fruit or vegetable stocking store, a juice extraction device for extracting juice from fruits or vegetables, a moving mechanism for moving the fruits or vegetables between the stocking store and the extraction device, an access mouth to a juice container and an electronic control unit. In detail, the distributor comprises a sealing device for sealing the container with the spilled juice to be dispensed and in which the electronic control unit is provided for activating the sealing device on request of the user.

Thus, the produced drink can be consumed not only close to the place of installation of the distributor but also in other places, as workplace, household, sport centers, en route and during sporting activities and by people different from the distributor activator.

Another object of the invention is to carry out an automatic distributor for juices, obtained from fruit fresh at the moment of the request, which is provided for supplying a mix of juices from fruit and/or vegetable and preserving their healty and nutritional qualities.

According to this other object, the automatic distributor is provided for distributing single taste or mixed taste juices from fresh fruit and comprises: a fruit stocking store for fruits in particular citrus fruits to be squeezed; a squeezing device for extracting juices from the fruits to be squeezed; a stocking store or more stocking stores for fruits or vegetables to be centrifuged; a dissecting and centrifuging device or more dissecting and centrifuging devices for the fruits or vegetables to be centrifuged; and a transferring mechanism or more transferring mechanisms for the fruits or vegetables to be centrifuged. An electronic control unit is provided for activating, on request, the transferring mechanism or mechanisms, the squeezing device and/or the dissecting and centrifuging device or devices for selecting the fruits or vegetables from the stocking stores and transferring them to the squeezing device or the dissecting and centrifuging device or devices with squeezing and/or, respectively, dissecting and centrifuging for a single taste or mixed tastes distribution of the squeezed juice and/or the centrifuged juice or juices.

Conveniently, the stocking store, the extraction devices, and the sealing device are mounted on slide members having possibility of shifting between an internal operative position, and an external service position for maintenance operations.

The distributor can also comprise interchangeable modules for the used devices; these modules are easily detachable and remountable for service and are replaceable with identical modules or with modules of different characteristics. Thus, an operator responsible of the service can configurate the machine in function of features and needs of seasonal fruit or other user wants. The modules can comprise common standard connectors, while the electronic control unit can suitably recognize and drive the used module. The stocking store is easily interchangeable through suitable guides.

Suitably, the module for the squeezing device is pre-set for cutting and squeezing citrus fruits, expelling the discards and automatically washing. The modules for the dissecting and centrifuging devices include the respective transferring mechanism and a dissecting mechanism and a centrifuge with removal of the discards and automatic washing. The juice or the juices are spilled close to a module which, on request of the user, is activated for sealing the container. The machine could comprise electronic cards provided for controlling the flow of the various operations and a graphic display for directly interacting with the user.

Conveniently, in the various configurations of the distributor, the stocking stores, the extraction devices, and the sealing device are mounted on slide members having possibility of shifting with respect to the vane27of the cabinet22between an internal operative position, and an external position, of service in operations of maintenance.

According to the present invention the automatic distributor can comprise a citrus squeezing module and two centrifuging modules for different typologies of fruits and vegetables.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An automatic distributor or vending machine for delivering fruit juices, according to the invention, is represented with21inFIG. 1. The distributor21comprises a cabinet22having a front door23with a glass window24, a control panel25, and an access mouth26, and in which the control panel25has also a function of interface for payment by an user. The juices are received on juices container or glasses33on a seat42for the container23arranged behind the access mouth26.

A vane27of the cabinet22lodges a stocking store28, a juice extraction device29, a fruit moving mechanism30and an electronic control unit31. The stocking store28lodges fruits or vegetables to be processed by the juice extraction device29; the moving mechanism30moves the fruits or vegetables between the stocking store28and the extraction device29, while the electronic control unit31controls the stocking store28, the juice extraction device29, and the moving mechanism30. A container feeder32for dispensing the juice containers or glasses33for the juice to be distributed is mounted on an internal wall of the door23. After feeding of a container33into the seat42, the juice extracted by the device29flows into the container33, to availability for the user.

With function of service, the automatic distributor21comprises a waste container34, a cooling group36, a hydraulic system, not shown and tanks37and38. The waste container34is provided for receiving the discards from the extraction device29; the cooling group36refrigerates the inside of the cabinet22and, in particular, the stocking store28, while the hydraulic system is provided for cleaning the extraction device29and use of liquid from and to tanks37and38. Power supply groups and respective wirings, not represented in the figures, are also provided which interface the panel25with the electronic unit31and control the various electromechanic components of the distributor.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the distributor21comprises a sealing device41for sealing the container33with the spilled juice to be distributed, and in which the electronic control unit31is provided for activating the sealing device41on request of the user.

The sealing device41(see alsoFIG. 7) comprises a seal body40, the seat42for the container33to be sealed, a feeding spool43for a sealing film44, a taking up spool46for remaining portions of the sealing film and a sealing member47. The feeding spool43and the taking up spool46are rotatable on an upper part of the body40; the seat42projects from a lower portion of the body40, while the sealing member47projects from an intermediate portion of the body40. The seat42has possibility of movement horizontally and vertically between a location close to the access mouth26and a position close to the sealing member47. The feeding spool43and the taking up spool46are suitably driven by motor means, not shown, lodged in the seal body40.

The sealing film44extends downwardly from the feeding spool43to intermediate rollers481and48rand proceeds upwardly to the taking up spool46. Specifically, the sealing film44defines a plain section tensioned between the intermediate rollers481and48r, adjacent to a lower part of the sealing member47, while the taking up spool46rewinds remaining portions of the film44after the sealing. Suitable moving members49of the sealing device41are actuatable for shifting the seat42with the container33horizontally and vertically between the location close to the access mouth26and the location close to the sealing member47for sealing an edge or flange of the container with the plain section of the film44, against the lower part of sealing member47, and from the location close to the sealing member47to the location close to the access mouth26to the availability for the user.

In an alternative solution, not shown in the drawings, the sealing device, of known type, comprises a cover store, which stores covers for the juice containers or glasses33, and moving and closing members for moving each cover between the cover store and the access mouth26for closing the container33with the spilled juice.

In a first exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, the automatic distributor of the invention, herein represented with51, has a general structure similar to the one of the distributor21ofFIG. 1and equal components of identical numbering. The distributor51comprises a stocking store52for citrus fruit53, typically oranges, and in which the extraction device comprises a citrus squeezing machine54for extracting the juice by squeezing of the fruits. The fruit moving mechanism, represented with56, comprises a belt conveyor57(seeFIG. 5) provided for singularly conveying the fruits toward the squeezing machine54.

For what it concerns the present invention, the general structure of the distributor51, except for the stocking store52, the belt conveyor57and the sealing device41, is similar to the one of the machine vending machine of the Applicant AAT Agroindustry Advanced Technologies S.p.A, sold as OR100, while the citrus squeezing machine54is of the type described in the Patent Application WO08035388, also in the name of the Applicant AAT Agroindustry Advanced Technologies S.p.A.

In synthesis, the stocking store52(FIGS. 2,5and6) comprises a parallelepiped container58for the citrus fruits53, mounted on slide members of the vane27. The container58is open on the top and is limited in the front by a grating59, which allows seeing the content through the glass window24of the door23. On a lower part, the container58is limited by a higher branch of a lengthened ring belt61of the conveyor57, which extends up to a terminal opening62.

The belt conveyor57comprises moreover a motor gear63for the belt61and a second lengthened ring belt64actuated by a motor gear66. The ring belt64is arranged below the ring belt61and extends from the opening62up to a sequencing mechanism67, above the squeezing machine54. An inclined crossbar, not shown in the drawings, has function of diversion of the citrus fruits toward the sequencing mechanism67.

In the use, the citrus fruits of the container58are transported by the belt61up to the opening62, fall on the underlying belt64and, by advancing, are queued by the inclined crossbar up to the sequencing mechanism67and singly transferred to the squeezing machine54.

The squeezing machine54(FIGS. 3,4and5) comprises a machine body68with a motor group, not shown, a shaped cover69with a slide70downstream of the sequencing mechanism67, a sequencing and cutting group71and a squeezing room72with an output nozzle73. The sequencing and cutting group71comprises two pushers74and76with mutual oscillatory movement and a blade77, and defines an output of the squeezing room72. The pushers74and76provide to queuing the citrus fruits of the slide70; then, the single fruits are pushed against the blade77for being halfway cut and falling into the squeezing room72between an external drum78and an internal squeezing and filtering drum79in synchronous rotation. By means of the external drum78the two halves of the citrus fruit are squeezed against the squeezing and filtering drum79and their juice goes out through the nozzle73, while the discards go out the output of the squeezing room72.

A channel81is interposed between the output nozzle73and the access mouth26and is operatively connected with a channel moving group82. The channel81has an outflow end and is inclinable by the moving group82between a lifted position of rest, and a depressed position of work. In the condition of rest, the outflow end of the channel81is out of the movement trajectory of the containers33by the feeder32for a free dispensing of the containers into the access mouth26. In the condition of work, the outflow end is above the container33in the access mouth26for the spilling of the juice outgoing from the nozzle73toward the container33.

According to the invention, the distributor51is actuatable, on control of the user, for receiving in the container33the juice of oranges selected from the stocking store52and squeezed by the machine54. Further, if the requested selection provides it, the sealing device41is also actuated. The container33will be moved up to the sealing member47for sealing a flange or an edge of the container with the sealing and, after sealing, from the sealing member47to the access mouth26, for availability to the user.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the automatic distributor21(FIG. 1) is provided for distributing juices of fresh fruit of single taste or mixed taste and further comprises: an additional stocking store86or more additional stocking stores87for fruits or vegetables to be centrifuged; a dissecting and centrifuging device88or more dissecting and centrifuging devices88and89for the fruits or vegetables to be centrifuged, and a selecting and transferring device91or more selecting and transferring devices91and92. The electronic unit31is provided for activating, on request, the moving mechanism30and the selecting and transferring device91or devices91and92, the squeezing machine54and/or the dissecting and centrifuging device88or devices88and89for selecting the fruits or vegetables from the stocking stores and transferring them to the squeezing machine54and/or to the dissecting and centrifuging device or devices, with squeezing of the selected fruits and/or, respectively, dissecting and centrifuging of the other fruits or vegetables for supplying a mixed taste of a squeezed juice and a centrifuged juices or a mixed taste of a squeezed juice and/or more centrifuged juices.

For the feeding of the dissecting and centrifuging device88or devices89, the respective selecting and transferring device can comprise a spiral transport mechanism, not shown in the drawings, provided for singly receive the fruit and distribute it toward the dissecting and centrifuging device88or devices88and89. For fruits or vegetables having particular shapes, a nipping mechanism, also not shown, can be provided for taking the fruits or vegetables from the stocking store and deposit them into the dissecting and centrifuging device or devices.

The dissecting and centrifuging device88and the dissecting and centrifuging devices89further comprise washing mechanisms for the respective components, for instance of the type used in the above mentioned vending machine OR100of the Applicant AAT S.p.A., herein neither shown nor described in detail.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the automatic distributor, represented with93inFIG. 8, provides simplified solutions for the stocking store and the selecting and transferring device of the fruits or the vegetables to be sectioned and centrifuged.

Specifically, as additional stocking store, the distributor93comprises a large hopper98substantially of funnel shape, in which the fruits or the vegetables to be sectioned and centrifuged are lodged. The hopper98defines, in a lower part, an output mouth99with fixed knives101, while a cochlea102is provided as selecting and transferring device. The cochlea102has a vertical axis actuated by a gearmotor group104for feeding the fruits or vegetables103of the hopper through the mouth99, while the knives101provide to dissecting the fruits outgoing through the mouth99.

The dissecting and centrifuging device of the distributor93comprises a centrifuge106with vertical axis, which is arranged downstream of the mouth99. A tubular frame107has a function of support for the hopper98and the gearmotor group104and is shaped so as to define, in a front portion, two base arms108land108rbetween which the centrifuge106is lodged, underneath the output mouth99. The centrifuge106, of known type, comprises a centrifuge body with a lower section109of housing for a centrifuge motor111and an upper section112of housing for a centrifuge drum113having, on the bottom, corresponding fine shuttering knives114.

The upper section112of the centrifuge106has a function of reception for the extracted juice outgoing from a nozzle116, while a channel117makes flowing out, in the use, the juice outgoing from the nozzle116toward the container33distributed into the access mouth26. In detail, also the channel117is inclinable by a channel moving group118between a lifted position of rest, and a depressed position of work. In the position of rest, the outflow end of the channel117is out of the movement trajectory of the containers33; in the position of work, the outflow end is above a container33lodged in the access mouth26for the spilling of the outgoing juice from the nozzle116toward the same container33.

From opposite to the nozzle116, the centrifuge106comprises a container119, in connection with the upper section112, which receives, by centrifugal force, waste or discards of centrifuging, in a way known in sé.

The cochlea102crosses the output mouth99and extends in a tubular section121internally to the centrifuge drum111up to the shuttering knives114. The cochlea102is fixed on an axis122, which is driven in the rotation by the gearmotor group104and, on request by the service operator, is axially shiftable upward so as to spacing apart the cochlea from the tubular section121. It allows the shifting of the centrifuge106and of the container119with respect to the hopper98and their removal between the base arms108land108rfunctionally to emptying of the container and maintenance.

For the hopper98and the centrifuge106, the washing devices for the respective components can comprise the use of a hollow axis, functionally equivalent to the axis122, for the cochlea102. The hollow axis is connected with the hydraulic system and is provided of suitable spaced nozzles for a pressure flowing of a washing liquid toward the components to be washed.

The automatic distributor21,51,93(FIGS. 1,2,8) can also comprise in the vane27a juice distributor151for juice or aromatizing liquid and/or additive. The distributor151is actuatable for adding the additives to the juice or the juices extracted from fresh fruits or vegetables. The additives can be constituted, for instance, by lemon juice or sweetener. The juice distributor151includes, in detail, a dosing device152and a flexible outflow pipe. The dosing device151is actuatable, on control of the electronic unit31, for pre-defined quantities of the additive, while the outflow pipe makes flowing out the additive toward the channels81or117.

In a third embodiment ofFIG. 13, the automatic distributor of the invention, herein represented with161has a general structure similar to the one of the distributors21,51,93(FIGS. 1,2,8) and components equal having identical numbering. The distributor161can be set up according to four operative configurations and comprises: fruit stocking stores162, the squeezing machine54, two dissecting and centrifuging devices88and89, the sealing device41, the waste container34and the hydraulic system for cleaning the various devices with the tanks37and38.

Conveniently, in the various configurations of the distributor of the invention, the stocking stores, the extraction devices, and the sealing device are mounted on slide members having possibilities of shifting with respect to the vane27of the cabinet22between an internal operative position and an external position of service, in a function of maintenance.

According to another characteristic, the squeezing machine54the dissecting and centrifuging device88or devices88,89and the sealing device41are constituted by respective modules easily interchangeable, for configuring the vending machine as desired by the operator, for instance in function of fruits or vegetables of season.

Specifically, each module of the distributor has a standard common connector for an interface group of the electronic control unit31, while each module is recognizable by the electronic control unit for an automatic configuration of the distributor according to the used modules. For instance, the unity31can comprises electronic cards provided for controlling the flow of the various operations and a graphic display of the control panel25, for directly interacting with the user.

The operation of the automatic distributor21,161is now referred to the diagram ofFIG. 14, in the hypothesis of a configuration of three modules including the squeezing machine54for citrus fruits with a belt transport mechanism, the dissecting and centrifuging device88for fruits of regular shape and a spiral transport mechanism and the dissecting and centrifuging device89for fruits of irregular shape and the respective nipping mechanism. Briefly, this scheme can be also applied to the automatic distributor93ofFIG. 8, in which the transferring of the fruits to be centrifuged includes a cochlea mechanism controlled by a gearmotor.

The basic program for the operation of the automatic distributor21,161provides a step171in which the correct insertion of coins or banknotes of the control panel25is checked, and the respective validation is controlled in a step172. On the basis of a selected menu, the reached amount is checked in a decision box173, with indication to the user of the starting of selection in a block174. The program proceeds by activating the feeder32for dispensing a container33into the access mouth26, step175, and to a step176of selection for the whished fruit, with three branches177,178and179.

The branch177provides activation of the belt conveyor57, step181, for singularly conveying the citrus fruit toward the squeezing machine54and a step182of activation of the machine54, with spilling of the juice, and a decision box184of counting regarding the spilled quantity of juice. In the branch178, the program actuates the spiral transport mechanism, step186, for singularly transporting the regular fruit toward the dissecting and centrifuging device88, and the device88with spilling of the juice, step187and proceeds to a decision box188of counting of the spilled quantity. The branch179provides activation of the nipping transport mechanism, step191for taking the irregular fruit and introducing it into the dissecting and centrifuging device89. The program proceeds with a step192of activation of the dissecting and centrifuging device89with spilling of the juice, and a decision box193of counting regarding the spilled quantity.

After the counting checks of the decision boxes184,188and193, in the case of insufficient spilling, the program continues with a step194of return of coins and banknotes. With settlement of the correct quantity of the required juice, the program advances with the starting of a washing cycle, step196.

Finally, the program checks in a decision box197if the user has selected in the menu the sealing of the container: in positive, the program proceeds with the sealing, step198, and to the condition of end of the operations, step199. The program accesses directly to the step199from the decision box197in the case in which the user has not selected the menu with the sealing of the container.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the embodiments and the details of construction of the automatic distributor for juices extracted from fresh fruit can broadly be varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated, by way of non-limitative example, without by this departing from the ambit of the present invention.