EP3650372A1 - Food waste collection system for industrial catering comprising weighing of waste - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food waste collection system for collective catering, comprising a table having a tray (2) equipped with openings each receiving below a container (22, 24) for receiving sorted waste, and comprising a device weighing each container (40); said system is remarkable in that the table top (2) comprises under each opening a suspension frame (20) fixed under this tray, comprising an open or closed outline, an upper plane (30) having a central bore (32) coming around an opening of the table top (2) and container fixing means (22, 24), each suspension frame (20) comprising on the top of the upper plane (30), on the front side and on the side rear, a link (40) forming an elongated bar comprising a vertical traction sensor making it possible to deduce therefrom by adding the force information given by the two links the total mass suspended below said suspension frame (20) .

Description

The present invention relates to a food waste collection system for collective catering, as well as a method of operating such a collection system.

The collective catering generally uses trays allowing each customer to receive their meal, which they then clear in different containers in order to carry out a selective sorting of the types of waste allowing recycling and recovery of certain waste. In this way, sorting work is carried out directly by the users, which forms a developing participatory clearing which limits the catering staff.

For this it is known to provide a piece of furniture forming seen from the front side receiving the users, a table comprising several openings, arranged on a chest receiving from the front or from the rear depending on accessibility, bags or containers each coming below an opening. Each user sorts the contents of his tray in the different openings, so as to separate, for example, recyclable packaging, organic waste or glass.

Subsequently, the term container generally designates all types of rigid containers such as a plastic bin or a wire or tube bag holder, or flexible like a single bag, receiving the sorted waste.

In order to present to the personnel or directly to each user the mass of waste rejected, in particular to encourage a reduction in the quantity of waste, or to carry out management or statistics, it is known practice to place each container on a weighing device which makes it possible to weigh the total mass deposited in the container, or make weight differences after payments. In this way, the mass deposited can be instantly indicated to him by type of waste, to encourage him to reduce it. In addition, the reduction of the quantities of waste is an imperative, and their recovery is a regulatory obligation which initially requires knowing the masses to be treated.

However, placing each container on the weighing device requires additional handling by catering staff, who must lift this container in order to install it on the device. As a variant, it is possible to use a mechanical ramp or lever system to lift the container or the bag, which increases the installation costs and the handling times.

In addition, the weighing device installed below each container, connected by an electric cable to a control unit installed at height, results in significant exposure to the risk of contamination, for example by improper adjustment of the container to the opening of the table, an overflow or overturning of this container, a tear in a garbage bag, or splashes or dripping of juice around this container.

In this case, the catering staff must intervene to clean the weighing device, which can have complex shapes, and which also includes electrical elements which can be damaged in the event of a fluid spilling, leading to dangers. Frequent cleaning is necessary with a cleaning time which can be significant, which generates costs, with risks of imperfect cleaning contrary to the imperative rules of hygiene in the restoration.

We also know the document KR200408385 which describes a food waste collection system. Said food waste collection system comprises a table having a tray equipped with openings each receiving below a container for receiving sorted waste, and comprising a weighing device for each container, said weighing device being positioned under each container. The containers are positioned under the openings and above the weighing devices by means of slide links secured to the vertical partition walls extending under the table, halfway up the containers.

This type of system also has the drawback of presenting a significant exposure to the risks of soiling by a poor adjustment of the container on the opening of the table, an overflow, etc. so that the catering staff must intervene regularly to clean the weighing device which, moreover, includes electrical elements which can be damaged in the event of a fluid spilling, causing dangers, which generates costs, with risks of imperfect cleaning contrary to imperative hygiene rules in catering.

The object of the present invention is in particular to avoid these drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, it offers a food waste collection system for collective catering, comprising a table having a tray equipped with openings each receiving a container for receiving sorted waste below, and comprising a weighing device for each container, this collection system being remarkable in that the table top comprises under each opening a suspension frame fixed under this tray, comprising an open or closed outline, a upper plane having a central bore coming around an opening of the table top and container fixing means, each suspension frame comprising on the top of the upper plane, on the front side and on the rear side, a connection forming an elongated bar comprising a vertical traction sensor making it possible to deduce therefrom by adding the force information given by the two links the total mass suspended below said suspension frame.

An advantage of this collection system is that the weighing device being part of the suspension frame fixed directly under the table top, there is then no device installed under the containers or on the ground which could be easily soiled by projections or drains, or receive cleaning water from that floor.

The weighing device is protected, and cleaning of the collection system and the ground below is facilitated, which reduces intervention times, ensuring better quality of hygiene.

The collection system according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which can be combined with one another.

Advantageously, the connections include magnets, or levers lifting the container.

Furthermore, each suspension frame comprises a means for fixing a container coming from the upper part of this container.

In this case, advantageously each suspension frame comprises on two opposite lateral sides a guide rail each receiving a rib disposed on the upper part of the container.

In addition, in particular the end of the guide rails comprising the inlet of the container, may have guide slopes performing a rise or a lateral refocusing of this container during its entry, or have forms for receiving slopes produced on the containers.

Advantageously, the collection system includes a device for displaying, recording or transmitting mass measurements for the waste deposited in each opening of the table top.

• la figure 1 est une vue arrière d'un système de collecte selon l'invention, recevant trois containers ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de détail d'un cadre de suspension de ce système de collecte comprenant le dispositif de pesage ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe de ce système de collecte, suivant un plan vertical passant par l'axe des trois ouvertures du plateau ; et
• la figure 4 est une vue du côté arrière de ce système de collecte recevant deux containers.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a rear view of a collection system according to the invention, receiving three containers;
• the figure 2 is a detail view of a suspension frame of this collection system comprising the weighing device;
• the figure 3 is a sectional view of this collection system, along a vertical plane passing through the axis of the three openings of the tray; and
• the figure 4 is a rear side view of this collection system receiving two containers.

The figures 1, 2 , 3 and 4 present a food waste collection system for collective catering, comprising a table having a tray 2 placed on a closed cabinet on its front face receiving the users, and on its two lateral faces. The cabinet is equipped in each optional corner with a roller 6 which can be locked, in order to move it easily to allow a complete cleaning of the floor after use.

The table top 2 has a vertical rear backsplash 8 providing protection to avoid projections behind this piece of furniture, which can support one or more display screens 10, presented figure 1 , delivering information to users. As a variant, the display screen 10 can be integrated into the thickness of the backsplash 8. The backsplash 8 can also support data sheets.

The table top 2 has three openings allowing sorting of three types of waste, each surrounded by a circular flange 50 curved downwards so as to guide this waste towards a container 22, 24 disposed below the opening.

Each opening comprises a suspension frame 20 fixed below the table top 2, surrounding this opening, which receives in a suspended manner large containers 22 having rollers coming slightly above the ground, or small containers 24 clearly raised above ground. The outline of the suspension frame 22 can be opened or closed.

Each container 22, 24 can receive a plastic bag allowing it to be emptied easily in good hygienic conditions. As a variant, it is possible to directly attach a plastic bag under a suspension frame 20, without a rigid container. It is also possible to use a trolley on casters 26 allowing containers 22, 24 to be approached directly at the correct height, in particular for small containers 24, in order to fix them to the suspension frames 20. All other types of containers can be used, for example example of buckets.

Each suspension frame 20 has an upper plane 30 having a large central bore 32 coming around the flange 50 in order to ensure that all the waste passes well in this opening, and on its four sides of the ribs ensuring the stiffening of this frame.

Each lateral side of the suspension frame 20 comprises a horizontal guide rail 34, disposed below the upper plane 30, which ends rearwardly by an entry piece 36 comprising an entry guide slope 38 facing the center of this frame. It is also possible to have inclined guide slopes relative to the horizontal plane, which slightly elevates the container 22, 24 when it is put in place.

It is obvious that, according to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the horizontal guide rail 34, the entry piece 36 and the entry guide slope 38 can be obtained from welded metal wires. and bent without departing from the scope of the invention.

As a variant, the rear end of each guide rail 34 may have an inlet comprising forms for receiving slopes produced on the containers 22, 24, in order to effect their refocusing or their elevation in the same way.

In this way an operator can bring a container 22, 24 coming from the rear side, having on each side a horizontal rib which easily engages in a rail 34 thanks to the inlet guide 38 refocusing this container on the axis of the suspension frame 20, to then push it to the bottom of these rails in order to center it under the central bore 32 of this frame.

In addition, the entry piece 36 may include a guide slightly lifting the container, for example for advancing a large container 22 with wheels which thus takes off slightly from the ground by its simple movement of advance and introduction on the rails 34.

There is thus obtained easy positioning and removal of each container 22, 24 which no longer touches the ground, the whole piece of furniture resting on its four rollers 6 which allows easy movement of the collection system even with filled containers hanging below. In addition, after removing the containers 22, 24, cleaning the interior of the cabinet and the remaining free ground is very easy to perform, which ensures a high level of hygiene.

Each suspension frame 20 comprises on the top of the upper plane 30, on the front side and on the rear side, a link 40 forming an elongated bar comprising measurement means, which is directly fixed under the table top 2. Each link of measure 40 includes a vertical traction sensor making it possible to deduce therefrom by adding the force information given by the two links, the total mass suspended below this frame.

As a variant, the containers 22, 24 can be fixed under the table top 2 by any connection with rapid fixing means, comprising vertical traction sensors, such as magnets or weighing hooks, making it possible to keep these containers suspended while by carrying out their weighing.

Each measurement link 40 is connected by an electric cable or by a wireless transmission, for example a transmission of the Bluetooth type, to a control system such as a computer carrying out all types of necessary measurements, which can carry out a recording or a transmission of the data. We can in particular measure for each container the mass of waste deposited by each user, or the total mass of waste deposited during a meal or a day.

In particular a display screen 10 disposed in front of each opening of the table top 2, can indicate to each user the mass of waste deposited in this opening. In this way, users are encouraged to optimize the quantity of food taken for their meals, in order to avoid waste, and to reduce the costs of purchasing food as well as recycling. We also reduce the costs of consumable materials such as trash bags.

In the case of electrical connecting cables, each cable remains directly under the table top 2 or behind the backsplash 8 to come to the control unit and to the display screens 10, which avoids cable passages in the lower parts of the cabinet which could be more easily damaged when handling containers and cleaning.

It is possible in particular to propose a standard collection system comprising the same type of piece of furniture, and suspension frames 20 equipped with measurement links 40, or fixed links without measurement means, to produce a collection system respectively with or without a measurement of the mass of waste. Industrial production is facilitated by this standardization. It is also possible to subsequently equip the customer with a collection system delivered without a measurement device, by adding thereafter the measurement links 40, the control system and the display screens 10.

Claims (6)

Food waste collection system for collective catering, comprising a table presenting a tray (2) equipped with openings each receiving below a container (22, 24) for receiving sorted waste, and comprising a weighing device for each container (40), characterized in that the table top (2) has under each opening a suspension frame (20) fixed under this top, comprising an open or closed outline, an upper plane (30) having a central bore (32 ) coming around an opening of the table top (2) and container fixing means (22, 24), each suspension frame (20) comprising on the top of the upper plane (30), on the front side and on the rear side, a link (40) forming an elongated bar comprising a vertical traction sensor making it possible to deduce therefrom by adding the force information given by the two links the total mass suspended below said suspension frame we (20). Collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connections include magnets, or levers lifting the container (22, 24). Collection system according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each suspension frame (20) comprises means for fixing a container (22, 24) coming from the upper part of this container (22, 24). Collection system according to claim 3, characterized in that each suspension frame (20) comprises on two opposite lateral sides a guide rail (34) each receiving a rib disposed on the upper part of the container (22, 24). Collection system according to claim 4, characterized in that the end of the guide rails (34) comprising the inlet of the container (22, 24), has guide slopes (38) performing a lateral rise or recentering of the container (22, 24) upon entry, or has forms for receiving slopes made on the containers (22, 24). Collection system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a device for displaying (10), recording or transmitting mass measurements for the waste deposited in each opening of the table top ( 2).

Images