Restaurant system and method for operating a restaurant system

Abstract

The invention relates to a restaurant system, and a method relating thereto, including a first transport section, and a second transport section. The second transport section is located upstream of the first transport section in a provided transport direction of the food and/or drinks. The second transport section has an elevator, which is designed to transport the food and/or drinks into a position, which is located at a higher point as compared to the guest area.

Claims

1. A restaurant system (1) comprising: at least one working area (2) for cooking and/or preparing food and/or drinks; at least one guest area (3); and a transport system (4); wherein the at least one working area (2) and guest area (3) are connected via the transport system (4) for food and/or drinks, and the transport system (4) is designed to transport food and/or drinks from the working area (2) to the guest area (3), and the transport system (4) comprises at least a first transport section (5), in which the transport of food and/or drinks from the working area (2) to the guest area (3) takes place at least in sections by means of the force of gravity, and a second transport section (6), which is located upstream of the first transport section (5) in a provided transport direction (A) of the food and/or drinks; wherein the second transport section (6) has an elevator (7), which is designed to transport the food and/or drinks into a position, which is located at a higher point as compared to the guest area (3); and the elevator (7) has at least one movable elevator unit (8), which carries the food and/or drinks by means of the elevator (7); and the elevator unit (8) can be moved between a receiving position (12), in which the food and/or drinks, which are to be transported, can be supplied to the elevator unit (8), and a transfer position (13), which is arranged above the receiving position (12) and in which the elevator unit (8) can transfer the food and/or drinks to the first transport section (5), and the elevator (7) further comprises: one or two or a plurality of guide rods (10), which are arranged substantially vertically, for guiding the elevator unit (8) in response to the movement between receiving position and transfer position; and a stationary connector (14) is arranged on or close to an upper end of the guide rods (10) in such a manner that the food and/or drinks can be transferred via the stationary connector (14) to the first transport section (5), starting at the elevator unit (8) in the transfer position (13) thereof, and the position of the stationary connector (14) on or close to the upper end of the guide rods (10) can be adjusted by one or a plurality of fastening means (15) of the stationary connector (14) on one or a plurality of the guide rods (10) can be fastened to the guide rod or the guide rods (10) in a detachable and offset manner; wherein the first transport section (5) of the transport system (4) comprises at least two sliding rails and/or roller guides (19), which run substantially parallel and have a substantially circular or oval or rectangular cross section, on which the food and/or drinks are transported by means of transport aids (20), at least in sections by means of the force of gravity, and that the elevator unit (8) has a number of transfer rails (21), which run substantially parallel and the number of which corresponds to the number of the sliding rails and/or roller guides in the first transport section (5) and which, during the transport of the food and/or drinks with the elevator (7), carry the food and/or drinks, which are placed into the transport aids (20), wherein, in the transfer position (13) of the elevator unit (8), the transfer rails (21) form a continuation of the sliding rails and/or roller guides (19) in the first transport section (5) in a direction opposite to the provided transport direction (A) of the food and/or drinks.

2. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator (7) is designed to transport the food and/or drinks upwards substantially inversely parallel to the force of gravity.

3. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator (7) has one or two or a plurality of sensors, which detect the reaching of the receiving position (12) and/or of the transfer position (13).

4. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator unit (8) has at least one barrier (9), which, in a closed state, blocks a movement of the food and/or drinks carried by the elevator unit (8), and which, in an open state, releases a movement of the food arid/or drinks carried by the elevator unit (8).

5. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that for guiding purposes, the elevator unit (8) has two or three or a plurality of wheels (11) on the guide rod or the guide rods (10), which are arranged in such a manner that at least two of the wheels (11) are moved along opposite sides of the guide rods (10) in response to the movement of the elevator unit (8).

6. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator (7) has a drive system (16) comprising a motor (17) and at least one or at least two traction elements (18), which are moved by the motor (17), wherein the elevator unit (8) is connected to the traction element or to the traction elements (18) in such a manner that the elevator unit (8) is moved by means of the traction element or the traction elements (18).

7. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator (7) comprises an emergency shut-off system, wherein the emergency shut-off system comprises a number of contact elements, which corresponds to the number of traction elements (18), wherein one contact element is in each case in contact with a traction element (18) during normal operation and is interrupted in the case of malfunction.

8. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator (7) comprises a brake mechanism comprising brake elements, wherein the brake effect of the brake elements is impeded by means of the traction elements (18) during normal operation, and slow down the elevator during malfunction.

9. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator has a protective box (24), which surrounds the elevator unit (8) in the receiving position (12) thereof at least laterally, and/or that the elevator unit (8) has a protective box, which is movable with the elevator unit (8) and which surrounds the elevator unit (8) at least laterally.

10. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the elevator (7) has one or two or a plurality of sensors, which detects or detect an intervention in a route of the elevator unit along guide rods by an operator.

11. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the stationary connector (14) has a number of intermediate rails (22), which run substantially parallel, and the number of which corresponds to the number of sliding rails and/or roller guides in the first transport section (5), which form a continuation of the sliding rails and/or roller guides (19) and which are arranged between the sliding rails and/or roller guides (19) and the transfer rails (21) in the transfer position (13) of the elevator unit (8).

12. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer rails (21) and/or intermediate rails (22) are inclined downwards in the direction of the provided transport direction (A) of the food and/or drinks.

13. The restaurant system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer rails (21) and/or intermediate rails (22) are formed of a plurality of wheels or rollers (23), which are arranged consecutively and which are supported rotatably, and an axis of rotation of which is in each case oriented substantially vertically to the transport direction (A) provided at the position thereof.

14. A restaurant system comprising: at least one working area for cooking and/or preparing food and/or drinks; at least one guest area; and a transport system; wherein the at least one working area and guest area are connected via the transport system designed to transport food and/or drinks from the working area to the guest area, wherein the transport system comprises a first transport section, in which the transport of food and/or drinks from the working area to the guest area takes place at least in sections by means of the force of gravity and a second transport section; wherein the first transport section comprises at least two sliding rails and/or roller guides, which run substantially parallel, and have a substantially circular or oval or rectangular cross section, on which the food and/or drinks are transported by means of transport aids comprising sliding supports and/or sliding devices and/or rolling devices, at least in sections by means of the force of gravity, and the second transport section, upstream of the first transport section in a provided transport direction of the food and/or drinks, comprises an elevator, which is designed to transport the food and/or drinks into a position, which is located at a higher point as compared to the guest area; and the elevator comprises at least one movable elevator unit, which carries the food and/or drinks by means of the elevator; wherein the elevator unit can be moved between a receiving position, in which the food and/or drinks, which are to be transported, can be supplied to the elevator unit, and a transfer position, which is arranged above the receiving position and in which the elevator unit can transfer the food and/or drinks to the first transport section; wherein the elevator unit comprises a number of transfer rails, which run substantially parallel and the number of which corresponds to the number of the sliding rails and/or roller guides in the first transport section and which, during the transport of the food and/or drinks with the elevator, carry the food and/or drinks, which are placed into the transport aids, Wherein, in the transfer position of the elevator unit, the transfer rails form a continuation of the sliding rails and/or roller guides in the first transport section in a direction opposite to the provided transport direction of the food and/or drinks; and the transfer rails and/or intermediate rails are formed of a plurality of wheels or rollers, which are arranged consecutively and which are supported rotatably, and an axis of rotation of which is in each case oriented substantially vertically to the transport direction provided at the position thereof.

15. The restaurant system according to claim 14, wherein the elevator is designed to transport the food and/or drinks upwards substantially inversely parallel to the force of gravity.

16. The restaurant system according to claim 14, wherein the elevator comprises one or two or a plurality of guide rods, which are arranged substantially vertically, for guiding the elevator unit in response to the movement between receiving position and transfer position.

17. The restaurant system according to claim 16, wherein for guiding purposes, the elevator unit comprises two or three or a plurality of wheels on the guide rod or the guide rods, which are arranged in such a manner that at least two of the wheels are moved along opposite sides of the guide rods in response to the movement of the elevator unit.

18. The restaurant system according to claim 16, wherein the elevator further comprises a stationary connector arranged on or close to an upper end of the guide rods in such a manner that the food and/or drinks can be transferred via the stationary connector to the first transport section, starting at the elevator unit in the transfer position thereof, and the position of the stationary connector on or close to the upper end of the guide rods can be adjusted, one or a plurality of fastening means of the stationary connector on one or a plurality of the guide rods can be fastened to the guide rod or the guide rods in a detachable and offset manner.

19. A restaurant system, comprising: at least one working area for cooking and/or preparing food and/or drinks; at least one guest area; and a transport system; wherein the at least one working area and guest area are connected via the transport system for food and/or drinks, and the transport system is designed to transport food and/or drinks from the working area to the guest area, and the transport system comprises at least a first transport section, in which the transport of food and/or drinks from the working area to the guest area takes place at least in sections by means of the force of gravity, and a second transport section, which is located upstream of the first transport section in a provided transport direction of the food and/or drinks; wherein the second transport section has an elevator, which is designed to transport the food and/or drinks into a position, which is located at a higher point as compared to the guest area; and the elevator has at least one movable elevator unit, which carries the food and/or drinks by means of the elevator; and the elevator unit can be moved between a receiving position, in which the food and/or drinks, which are to be transported, can be supplied to the elevator unit, and a transfer position, which is arranged above the receiving position and in which the elevator unit can transfer the food and/or drinks to the first transport section, the elevator further comprises: one or two or a plurality of guide rods for guiding the elevator unit in response to the movement between receiving position and transfer position; and a stationary connector is arranged on or close to an upper end of the guide rods in such a manner that the food and/or drinks can be transferred via the stationary connector to the first transport section, starting at the elevator unit in the transfer position thereof, and the position of the stationary connector on or close to the upper end of the guide rods can be adjusted, one or a plurality of fastening means of the stationary connector on one or a plurality of the guide rods can be fastened to the guide rod or the guide rods in a detachable and offset manner; wherein the first transport section of the transport system comprises at least two sliding rails and/or roller guides, which run substantially parallel and have a substantially circular or oval or rectangular cross section, on which the food and/or drinks are transported by means of transport aids, at least in sections by means of the force of gravity, and that the elevator unit has a number of transfer rails, which run substantially parallel and the number of which corresponds to the number of the sliding rails and/or roller guides in the first transport section and which, during the transport of the food and/or drinks with the elevator, carry the food and/or drinks, which are placed into the transport aids, wherein, in the transfer position of the elevator unit, the transfer rails form a continuation of the sliding rails and/or roller guides in the first transport section in a direction opposite to the provided transport direction of the food and/or drinks.

20. The restaurant system according, to claim 19, wherein the transfer rails and/or intermediate rails are formed of a plurality of wheels or rollers, which are arranged consecutively and which are supported rotatably, and an axis of rotation of which is in each case oriented substantially vertically to the transport direction provided at the position thereof.

Description

(1) The features of restaurant systems described in these publications can also be realized in the case of the restaurant system according to the invention. The invention will be explained in more detail below, also with regard to further features and advantages, by means of the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a restaurant system according to the invention in a schematic view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an elevator of a restaurant system according to the invention in a three-dimensional view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an upper section of the elevator according to FIG. 2 in an enlarged detailed view;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a lower section of the elevator according to FIG. 2 in an enlarged detailed view;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the upper section of the elevator according to FIG. 2 in a further enlarged detailed view;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the lower section of the elevator according to FIG. 2 in a further enlarged detailed view.

(8) Parts and components in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, which correspond to one another, also beyond the different exemplary embodiments, are detected with the same reference numerals.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a restaurant system 1 according to the invention. The restaurant system comprising a working area for cooking and/or preparing food and/or drinks and a guest area 3, wherein working area 2 and guest area 3 are connected via a transport system 4 for food and/or drinks.

(10) The transport system is designed to transport food and/or drinks from the working area 2 to the guest area 3, wherein the transport system 4 has a transport section 5, in which the transport of food and/or drinks from the working area 2 to the guest area 3 takes place at least in sections by means of the force of gravity. The transport system 4 furthermore has a second transport section 6, which is located upstream of the first transport section 5 in a provided transport direction A of the food and/or drinks. The second transport section 6 has an elevator 7, which is designed to transport the food and/or drinks into a position, which is located at a higher point as compared to the guest area 3. The elevator 7 thus serves the purpose of transporting the food and/or drinks upwards substantially inversely parallel to the force of gravity, that is, the transport by means of the elevator 7 takes place substantially vertically upwards, opposite to the force of gravity.

(11) The elevator has a stationary protective box 24, which laterally surrounds the elevator unit 8 in its receiving position 12, but which is not moved with the elevator unit 8. The protective box 24 comprises four side walls 26, which stand on the base plate 25. The upper side 27 of the protective box 24 is open, so as not to impede the movement of the elevator unit 8.

(12) The first transport section 5 of the transport system 4 comprises two sliding rails 19, which run parallel and which have a circular cross section, on which the food and/or drinks are transported by means of transport aids 20, at least in sections by means of the force of gravity. FIG. 2 shows the elevator 7 of the restaurant system 1 according to the invention. The elevator 7 has a movable elevator unit 8, which carries the food and/or drinks during the transport of the food and/or drinks by means of the elevator 7. The elevator unit 8 can be moved between a receiving position 12, in which the food and/or drinks, which are to be transported, can be supplied to the elevator unit 8, and a transfer position 13, which is arranged above the receiving position 12 and in which the elevator unit 8 can transfer the food and/or drinks to the first transport section 5.

(13) The elevator 7 comprises two vertically arranged guide rods for guiding the elevator unit 8 in response to the movement between receiving position 12 and transfer position 13. The elevator 7 furthermore has two sensors, which detect the reaching of the receiving position 12 or of the transfer position 13, respectively. The elevator unit 8 has transfer rails 21, which run parallel and which carry the food and/or drinks, which are placed or introduced into the transport aids 20, during the transport of the food and/or drinks by means of the elevator 7. In the transfer position 13 of the elevator unit 8, the transfer rails 21 form a continuation of the two sliding rails 19 in the first transport section 5 in a direction opposite the provided transport direction A of the food and/or drinks.

(14) The connector 14 has two intermediate rails 22, which run parallel and which form a continuation of the sliding rails 19 and which are arranged between the sliding rails 19 and the transfer rails 21 in the transfer position 13 of the elevator unit 8.

(15) Both the transfer rails 21 as well as the intermediate rails 22 are inclined downwards in the direction of the provided transport direction A of the food and/or drinks. The transfer rails 21 and the intermediate rails 22 are furthermore formed from a plurality of rollers 23, which are arranged consecutively and which are supported rotatably, and the axis of rotation of which is in each case oriented vertically to the transport direction A provided at the position thereof.

(16) FIG. 3 shows an upper section of the elevator 7. A stationary connector 14 is arranged on the upper end of the guide rods 10 in such a manner that the food and/or drinks can be transferred via the connector 14 to the first transport section 5, starting at the elevator unit 8 in the transfer position thereof. The position of the connector 14 can be adjusted on the upper end of the guide rods 10. A plurality of fastening means 15 of the connector 14 are fastened to the guide rods 10 in a detachable manner.

(17) They can substantially be arranged so as to be offset and in a new manner so as to newly adjust the position of the connector 14 on the upper end of the guide rods 10. The elevator unit 8 has two barriers 9, which are in a closed state, in which they block a movement of the food and/or drinks, which are carried by the elevator unit 8. Such a movement would be made possible, because the force of gravity acts on the food and/or drinks, because the elevator unit 8 is located at an incline as compared to the horizontal. The barriers 9 are connected to the control device (not illustrated in the figures). If one of the sensors signals the reaching of the transfer position 13 to the control unit (not illustrated in the figures), said control unit transfers the barriers 9 from the closed into the open state and thus releases the transfer of the food and/or drinks to the first transport section 5.

(18) Each of the two barriers are a mechanical coupling mechanism comprising an L-shaped angular piece 32, wherein, in the closed state, the short side of the angular piece 32 forms the stop point for the food and/or drinks. For guiding purposes, the elevator unit 8 has three wheels 11 on the guide rods 10, which are arranged in such a manner that two of the wheels 11 are in each case moved along opposite sides of the guide rods 10 in response to the movement of the elevator unit 8.

(19) The wheels 11 are designed in a double cone-shaped manner, wherein the guide rods 10 are guided in an area between the two cones on a cylindrical center piece. The axes of rotation of the wheels 11 are located vertically to the guide rods 10 and the wheels 11 are located in a plane, which is vertical to the axes of rotation. The wheels 11 are thereby arranged in the plane in the shape of an equal-sided triangle, wherein the guide rods 10 are in each case arranged between base and tip of the equal-sided triangle. The wheels 11 are arranged on a frame structure in each case comprising one mounting plate 31 for each guide rod. Three wheel 11 for each mounting plate are thereby rotatably supported thereon. The wheels 11 are equipped with a brake to prevent an unintentional quick downward slipping of the elevator unit 8, for example in response to a tearing of a tie bar 18.

(20) FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 show a lower section of the elevator 7. The elevator has a drive system 16 comprising a motor 17 and two tie bars 18, which are moved by the motor, wherein the elevator unit 8 is connected to tie bars 18 in such a manner that the elevator unit 8 is moved by means of the tie bars. Each tie bar 18 is stretched circumferentially between a drive roller 28 on the motor 17 and a deflection roller 29 (can be seen in FIG. 3). The motor 17 and the drive rollers 28 are arranged on the lower end of the guide rods 10; the deflection rollers 29 are arranged on the upper end of the guide rods 10. A mechanical connection 30 (can be seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6), which clamps the tie bars 18, and which ensures a stable and slip-resistant fastening, serves to connect the elevator unit 8 to the tie bars 18. The elevator 7 comprises a base plate 25 on the lower end of the guide rods 10. The guide rods 10 and the motor 17 are fastened to this base plate 25.

(21) The control device of the elevator 7 can furthermore also be arranged below the base plate 25 (not illustrated in the figures).

(22) FIG. 5 shows the elevator 7 according to FIG. 3 in an open state of the barriers 9. A movement of the food and/or drinks, which are carried by the elevator unit 8, in particular a transfer to the first transport section 5, is released in the open state.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(23) 1 restaurant system 2 working area 3 guest area 4 transport system 5 first transport section 6 second transport section 7 elevator 8 elevator unit 9 barrier 10 guide rods 11 wheels 12 receiving position 13 transfer position 14 connector 15 fastening means 16 drive system 17 motor 18 traction elements 19 sliding rails 20 transport aids 21 transfer rails 22 intermediate rails 23 rollers 24 protective box 25 base plate 26 side walls 27 upper side 28 drive roller 29 deflection roller 30 mechanical connection 31 mounting plate 32 angular piece A transport direction