Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for robotic item sortation and optimization along the vertical axis in a conveyor-based system. A robotic system may be mounted above or adjacent to a conveyor system that moves items along a conveyor belt or similar device. Once an item is laterally diverted from the conveyor system, the robotic system may collect the item at a respective holding station and move the item along a vertical axis for placement in one of a plurality of vertically-configured item handling devices.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying device used while being laid on a conveyance path of a conveying apparatus, including a plate loading portion; a detection means for detecting a plate laid on the plate loading portion; a retaining member fixed to the plate loading portion for retaining a plate cover over the plate loading portion; and a removal means for removing the plate cover retained in the retaining member to be put on a plate laid on the plate loading portion. In the food and drink conveying device, the removal means is operated at the time of the detection means detecting the plate laid on the plate loading portion so that the plate cover removed from the retaining means is to be put on the plate.

Abstract: A food plate carrier is carried on a conveyor line of a conveying system to transport food to the tables and seats in a restaurant. The food plate carrier includes a mounting platform having a plate resting portion for supporting a plate on which food is put, a cap member attached to the mounting platform so as to open and close with respect to the plate resting portion, to cover the plate resting portion of the mounting platform, and an open and close mechanism for allowing the cap member to close when the dish is rested on the plate resting portion and open when the dish is removed therefrom. The open and close mechanism comprises an actuator which is brought into abutment with the dish when the dish is on the plate resting portion, thereby being actuated to move relative to the plate resting portion.

Abstract: A floating omnimover ride with high capacity throughput and enhanced control over speeds of passenger boats. The ride includes a water containment structure with spaced apart sidewalls defining an elongated guide channel that defines a loop-shaped ride path or circuit. The ride includes a volume of liquid contained in the guide channel to a desired depth. The ride also includes a chain of passenger boats floating in the liquid contained in the guide channel. Each of the boats is linked to the two adjacent boats with a connecting link such that the chain of boats is a continuous loop. The chain of boats has a length that is approximately equal to a length of the ride path, and during operation of the ride, the boats in the chain are moved along the loop-shaped ride path at a predefined rate by a pump station moving the liquid in the guide channel.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station.

Abstract: A circulation conveyor for foods and drinks effectively controls internal temperature of a tunnel section covering an upper portion of a circulation-type conveyor path for foods and drinks. The conveyor has a tunnel section covering an upper portion of and in the longitudinal direction of the carrying path. A cooling and heating pipe 24 inside the tunnel section in its longitudinal direction controls internal temperature of the tunnel section. In the tunnel section, upper and lower ventilation openings 32 and 33, disposed above and below, respectively, of the cooling and heating pipe 24 are provided. The ventilation openings communicate via communication pipes 30a to 30c to circulate air, and an air blowing section 34 circulates air in the tunnel section by drawing air from one of the upper or lower ventilation openings, into the pipes, and discharges the air from the other opening.

Abstract: A food buffet table system for conveying food articles around a tabletop to allow a person to access the food articles without reaching across the tabletop includes a base being positioned on and that extends upwardly from a support surface. A tabletop is coupled to the base and positioned above the support surface. The tabletop has a channel that extends into the tabletop through an upper surface of the tabletop in an approximate oval shape along the tabletop. A plurality of conveyor assemblies is positioned in and extends along the channel to receive and support the food articles. The conveyor assemblies are actuated to convey the food articles in an approximate oval path around the tabletop. A pair of drive assemblies is positioned in the tabletop. A plurality of the conveyor assemblies is coupled to one of the drive assemblies to actuate the conveyor assemblies.

Abstract: A belt-conveyor sushi counter has an opening (8) under a conveyor lane (4) where conveyors (5, 6) circulate for bringing sushi S on plates T to customers. At least dishes such as the used plates T placed on a counter table (3) can be collected from the opposite side of the conveyor lane (4) through the opening (8). This configuration eliminates the need for employees who enter a customer seat floor to collect the dishes such as the plates, resulting in reduction of labor costs, reduction of the area required for the customer seat floor, reduction of the fatigue of employees, and improvement of sanitation and services.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying device used with laid on a conveyance path of a conveying apparatus, comprising: a plate loading portion; a detection means for detecting a plate laid on said plate loading portion; a retaining member fixed to said plate loading portion for retaining a plate cover over said plate loading portion; and a removal means for removing the plate cover retained in the retaining member to be put on a plate laid on said plate loading portion. In the food and drink conveying device, the removal means is operated at the time of the detection means detecting the plate laid on the plate loading portion so that the plate cover removed from the retaining means is to be put on the plate.

Abstract: A food identification and tracking system includes a plurality of containers adapted to hold food items. An electronically-readable tag is affixed to each of the containers. The data stored on the tags may include information, such as an identification of a food item being held by the container, the ingredients of the food item, and/or the price of the food item, for example. The containers may be distributed by way of a conveyor system offering the food items in the containers for consumption. One or more sensors positioned relative to the conveyor may electronically read the data stored on a tag and cause the identification of the food item in a container to be shown on a display. When the data in each tag includes an indicator of the price of the food item, the cost of all the food item(s) consumed by a consumer may be calculated for payment.

Abstract: management device for managing the expiration date of food and drink arranged on a plate and including a camera for capturing a two-dimensional code on a cylindrical base of the plate, a barcode scanner for analyzing the two-dimensional code captured by the camera and extracting a plate number, a management main body for receiving the plate number output from the barcode scanner and collectively managing the traveling plates, and a DIO (Digital Input/Output) module. The DIO module is connected to a detection switch disposed on a downstream position of the camera and a discharge mechanism disposed on a downstream side of the detection switch to perform a bidirectional communication with the management main body. A separation distance between the camera and the detection switch is shorter than a diameter of the plate.

Abstract: A food and drink managing device with a circulation type path allows standardizing while adding food and drink onto the carrying path, simplifying management, holding down cost, and achieving precise identification information reading. The food and drink managing device with a circulation type carrying path has containers with identification information, an identification information reading means provided near said path, a sign part circularly moving as linked with said circulating carrying path, passage detection means for detecting passage of said sign parts, a registering means which recognizes an interval between passing sign parts as one zone, and registers the identification information of the containers read by said reading means, as foods and drinks being supplied, in relation to a zone in which the containers exist, and a container throwing-in prohibited area of a given length provided in the upstream side of the circulating carrying path from a position of the reading means.

Abstract: A novel sushi serving system contains a premium message for serving sushi. A utensil for serving sushi has a message marble, hidden between a sushi and the utensil, thereupon a “premium” message, such as “10 slices of free sushi” mounted. The utensil for serving sushi is manipulated in a shape of, including but not limited to, a plain dish, a boat, a car and a fish. The message marble is located in a pocket on the utensil. Patrons can find the message marble after they finish the sushi served thereon. Patron who finds a message marble submits the marble to the cashier and gets the premium prizes. The sizes of the pocket on the utensil are slightly larger than those of the message marble. The shape of the pocket is the same as that of the message marble. The shape of the message marble is, including but not limited to, an animal, a plant, a star, a geometrical drawing, a sushi, furniture and a landscape.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a mount frame, a first guide mounted on the mount frame along a conveying circuit, several transport trolleys distributed along the conveying circuit, and a system for driving each of the transport trolleys comprising a second guide mounted on each of said transport trolleys and designed to co-operate with the first guide, a transmission connected to the transport trolleys. Advantageously, each of the transport trolleys includes a support having at least one useful face, advantageously intended for supporting at least a dish, and maintained in a substantially horizontal position. The invention is useful for fast catering service in a restaurant hall or the like.

Abstract: In a circulating type food and drink transport apparatus, since a first magnet and second magnets are disposed such that the same magnetic poles thereof confront each other, when a food and drink vessel is placed on a transport path, the first magnet faces the second magnets through the same polarities. Thus, the first magnet is subjected to the repulsive force of the second magnets, whereby the food and drink vessel tends to be stably located between adjacent magnets of the second magnets. When the second magnets are circulatingly traveled in a predetermined direction, the first magnet circulatingly travels at the same speed as the traveling speed of the second magnets because it tends to secure the above stable position.

Abstract: An improved serving method and apparatus are disclosed for use in rotary catering table equipment having a rotary conveyer (22) on which merchandise (e.g., sushi) items (14) are conveyed around. A freshness managing member (48) is used to automatically alert to the presence of a merchandise item on the rotary conveyer that is deteriorating in freshness upon a given lapse of time after supply. Shortage may also be detected, displayed and indicated by a processing device (70) in combination with mechanisms (32, 38) that determine where on the conveyer and which types of merchandise items are becoming short in number. Also disclosed are a merchandise item stocker (34) and a feeder for automatically serving the rotary conveyer (22) with merchandise items, which may be operated with a merchandise management system (80) in which an ordering mechanism (78) based on data from a managing device (74) automatically orders needed merchandise materials by types from member suppliers (76).

Abstract: A conveying device is provided which has a conveying path for conveying in circulation a number of containers containing at least one of foods and drinks. The conveying device includes a plurality of mounting bases, arranged on the conveying path, for mounting the containers thereon; a mounting base identifier, provided on the mounting bases, for identifying the mounting bases; a container identifier, provided on the containers, for identifying the containers; a mounting base reading device for reading the mounting base identifiers provided on the mounting bases arranged on the conveying path; and a container reading device for reading the container identifiers provided on the containers circulating through the conveying path. Items to be served on the mounting bases are preset and mounting bases with no container thereon are identified based on output signals from the mounting base reading device and the container reading device. A display then displays items to be made.

Abstract: A food service conveyor system for providing a space saving device for holding hot and cold food. The system includes a base for resting on a surface, and a plurality of rotatable levels mounted on the base. The plurality of rotatable levels comprises a first one of the rotatable levels being positioned adjacent to the base, a second one of the rotatable levels being mounted adjacent to and above the first rotatable level, and a third one of the rotatable levels being mounted adjacent to and above the second rotatable level. The first rotatable level has a first rotatable panel with an upper surface for supporting food containers and a first annular support located below the first rotatable panel. The first annular support includes cooling means for cooling the upper surface of the first rotatable panel. The second rotatable level has a second rotatable panel with an upper surface for supporting food containers and a second annular support located below the second rotatable panel.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for individual food carriers in an enclosed continuous waterway food serving system is described. The food serving system comprises a plurality of boat shaped food carriers floating in the continuous waterway propelled by a current induced into the waterway. Each food carrier comprises one or more stabilizer bars affixed to a bottom surface of the food carrier and extending from the side of the food carrier to stabilize the food carrier from a rolling motion in the water. The stabilizer bars are constructed of clear plastic to hide their presence when the food carrier is placed in the waterway. Each food carrier further comprises a horizontal bar affixed to the stern end of the food carrier and configured to contact the bow of a following food carrier when the food carriers are deployed in the continuous waterway.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying system is provided in which the sorts of foods and drinks displayed on display members placed on a circulating conveying path and the number of foods and drinks placed on the circulating conveying path following after their respective display members are detected. An optimum number of foods and drinks to be placed following after their respective display members placed on the circulating conveying path is set, and then it is judged whether or not the number of foods and drinks placed on the circulating conveying path are the optimum number based on the detected sorts and number of foods and drinks. The sorts of and the number of insufficient foods and drinks are displayed when it is judged that the number of foods and drinks placed on the circulating conveying path is smaller than the optimum, so that a food preparer can be informed of the sorts and number of insufficient foods and drinks.

Abstract: A conveying container includes an input means for inputting a specified table number, a food and drink detecting means for detecting presence of the food and drink in the container, a conveying-container-side transmitter for sending out information that is output from the input means and the food and drink detecting means, a conveying-container-side receiver for receiving specified information, and an operation control means for controlling operation of the guide means on the basis of the input from the input means, while on the other hand, a conveying path side of the food and drink conveying system includes a conveying-path-side receiver for receiving signals output from the conveying-container-side transmitter, a conveying-path-side transmitter for sending out signals associated with the respective tables to the conveying-container-side receiver, a controller for controlling the conveying-path-side receiver and the conveying-path-side transmitter, and a monitor for informing someone of a variety of informa

Abstract: A goods conveyance mechanism having the function of displaying the course of an order carried from a goods supplying place to a goods receiving place by use of a gradually changing image in the goods receiving place. The goods conveyance mechanism includes carrying means for carrying goods from a goods supplying place to a goods receiving place; image display means provided in the goods receiving place; and control means for allowing an image displayed on the image display means to change one after another in accordance with developments of the goods carried up to the goods receiving place by the carrying means.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for individual food carriers in an enclosed continuous waterway food serving system is described. The food serving system comprises a plurality of boat shaped food carriers floating in the continuous waterway propelled by a current induced into the waterway. Each food carrier comprises one or more stabilizer bars affixed to a bottom surface of the food carrier and extending from the side of the food carrier to stabilize the food carrier from a rolling motion in the water. The stabilizer bars are constructed of clear plastic to hide their presence when the food carrier is placed in the waterway. Each food carrier further comprises a horizontal bar affixed to the stern end of the food carrier and configured to contact the bow of a following food carrier when the food carriers are deployed in the continuous waterway.

Abstract: A unit is described, consisting of an oblong table and a plurality of seats arranged approximately the same distance apart around the perimeter of the table. The unit includes elements designed to move the plurality of seats along en masse around the perimeter at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: Dining service is provided at locations surrounding a plurality of watercourse loops which are linked by shunts, allowing travel of sushi boats from one watercourse to another. This allows sushi chefs to be stationed within each watercourse loop preparing food at separate locations, yet allowing the food to circulate among all diners. Selectively movable gates may be used to close off watercourse loops or to divert boats in a manner such that either a single loop trip is made or a trip over extended loops is made. Watercourses are fabricated by joining modular sections of fiberglass liner, including straight sections, curved sections and Y-shaped sections. The food preparation region of each loop may be accessed by a tunnel beneath the loops, particularly useful for persons in wheelchairs.

Abstract: A dining table top conveyor having a flat base of rectangular/oval shape and flat endless belt guided over two flanged pulleys. One pulley is electrically driven by a variable speed geared motor and other is an idler and belt tensioning pulley. The flat belt has special steel hooks riveted into it, and it engages with a steel bracket on serving bowl holder plates. These plates are made of heat resistant material like cork or heat resistant plastic and move around on top of the table following the belt. On top of these plates are placed the serving bowls containing food items. As the serving bowls/pots go around the table, diners serve themselves as the bowl passes in front of them. Also at each end of the conveyor are two beverage dispensers which can swivel 330 degrees and extend in and out to self serve beverages. Under the table is a beverage container pressurized by a mini-air compressor and a small motor control panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for serving and displaying food including a continuous watercourse. Patrons sit around a periphery of the watercourse and food carriers circulate in the watercourse and carry various types of food. The food carriers are structurally independent from one another so that each food carriers is independently removable from the the watercourse. The food carriers also have a bumper sized to maintain a predetermined spacing between the food carriers in the watercourse.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for serving and displaying food including a continuous watercourse (4) with food carriers (8) carrying various food trays. Patrons sit around a periphery of the watercourse. The food carriers are removably attached to an endless line (10) underneath the water by flexible wires (30) so that each food carrier is independently removable from the said watercourse. In addition, the flexible wires are positioned along the endless line so as to maintain a predetermined spacing between the food carriers in the watercourse. This predetermined spacing gives the patron adequate time to select sushi from adjacent food carriers and also gives the sushi chef adequate time to add sushi to adjacent food carriers.

Abstract: An apparatus (50) for serving and displaying food including a continuous watercourse (54). Patrons sit around a periphery of the watercourse. Food carriers (58) circulate in the watercourse and carry various food trays. The food carriers are structurally independent from one another so that each food carriers is independently removable from the said watercourse. The apparatus further includes structurally independent spacer members (60) positioned between the food carriers along the watercourse. The spacer members are sized to maintain a predetermined spacing between the food carriers in the watercourse.

Abstract: Restaurants featuring improved efficiency through use of pneumatic systems for delivery of fast food products from a kitchen area to a food delivery area, such as in an out building, can revolutionize the fast food industry. A customer order entry station is located on a first side of the restaurant, and an order unit transmits order entry information to an indicator located adjacent to the kitchen area. A pneumatic dispatch station located adjacent to the kitchen area is connected via a second dispatch unit located in the food delivery area to a pneumatic tube. Upon the taking of a customer's order, the order entry information is acted upon by food service personnel who prepare food products such as sandwiches and load them into the kitchen area dispatch station for transport to the food delivery area. The food products reach the customer who has, by this time, navigated around the restaurant to the out building.

Abstract: An apparatus for serving and displaying food including a continuous watercourse. Patrons sit around a periphery of the watercourse and food carriers circulate in the watercourse and carry various types of food. The food carriers are structurally independent from one another so that each food carriers is independently removable from the watercourse. The food carriers also have a bumper sized to maintain a predetermined spacing between the food carriers in the watercourse.

Abstract: A food material conveyor mechanism for a sandwich fixing apparatus includes a continuously moving conveyor line. A food conveying plate carried along the conveyor line is stopped at predetermined stop positions along the conveyor line so food materials can be automatically added to an unfinished sandwich. The mechanism is controlled by a microprocessor such that the food conveying plate is stopped only at selected stop positions depending on the type of sandwich ordered by a customer. The conveyor line continues to move even while individual conveying plates are stopped.

Abstract: An article selecting and collecting apparatus having a plurality of vertically spaced elongated ramps with a continuous conveyor and articulated selector slidingly attached to a rail adjacent each conveyor. The articulated selector slides along the rail to a selected portion of the rack for selecting an article from the rack and placing it on the adjacent conveyor. The conveyor carries the article to a spiral chute at a distal end for collecting with other selected articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circulative catering bar equipped with warming system and cold air circulation system which comprises a warming system in which a heater (26) is incorporated in a plate mounted on the crescent chain, a cold air circulation system having cold air paths formed beneath the refrigerating conveyor and circulating cold air onto the refrigerating conveyor, and a setting board (56), disposed above said warming system, and it is possible to cyclically convey ordinary goods, warmed goods and refrigerated goods at the same time by cyclically conveying ordinary goods and warmed goods on a crescent chain of the warming system and cyclically conveying refrigerated goods on the refrigerating conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for serving and displaying food including a continuous watercourse. Patrons sit around a periphery of the watercourse and food carriers circulate in the watercourse and carry various types of food. The food carriers are structurally independent from one another so that each food carriers is independently removable from the said watercourse. The food carriers also have a bumper sized to maintain a predetermined spacing between the food carriers in the watercourse.

Abstract: A delivery system, which is capable of quickly and correctly delivering an item to a destination. In the delivery system of the present invention, a moving section is capable of holding an item to be delivered. A driving mechanism is capable of moving the moving section in a plane. A frame section encloses the plane in which the moving section is moved. A plurality of input sections are capable of independently inputting data, and are provided to the frame section. A control section is capable of controlling the driving mechanism on the basis of the data inputted by the input sections so as to move the moving section in the plane.

Abstract: A sushi restaurant sushi counter having a magnetic conveying system for transporting sushi plates around the counter to different positions.

Abstract: A circulative catering table provided with an endless conveyer circulating according to the circulating course supported in a horizontal plane at the designated height by a base frame and supporting the foods at the designated intervals, an appropriate number of counters for eating and drinking disposed outside of the endless conveyer and a cooling system for the foods on the endless conveyer. The circulative catering table has a first cool air path forming a lower opening by providing a gap between the outside of the endless conveyer and the counter and extending downwards of the base frame in communication with the lower opening and a second cool air path disposed in opposition to the lower opening against the endless conveyor, with the lower part thereof in communication with the first cool air path and with the upper opening at the upper end that uniformly blows out the cool air in a direction crossing the endless conveyer and toward the space above the lower opening.

Abstract: Conveying system with one or more driving members, conveying chains in operative connection therewith and mechanism arranged on said chains and receiving the conveying loads, the conveying chains being guided in chain channels, one or more tracks connecting satellites with one or more central stations. A track comprises a driving station with an associated track and a conveying chain (drag chain) without a return strand running parallel to the track and on whose one end is arranged a conveyed product-receiving mechanism whilst the other end is freely movable. The track connects the driving station (satellite) with a central station or another driving station (satellite).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for serving and displaying food is disclosed wherein nonconnected food carriers are circulated in continuous watercourse. The carriers have a circular outer perimeter and are disposed within the watercourse in a staggered arrangement. The invention further includes use of a water current so as to cause simultaneous rotation of the carriers along a vertical axis and horizontally propelling the carriers along the watercourse in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A food service electrically driven conveyor having a substantially rectangular table with a flat top and a sprocket chain disposed in a continuous loop parallel to it. The chain is trained over sprockets of relatively small diameter located at each end of the table. Several trays are carried around the path outside the loop by means of a self-lubricating sliding block that rides on a rail member that is contiguous to the chain loop. Pivotally mounted arm members on the block pivotally connect to different link members of the chain.

Abstract: A self-service apparatus is provided to be operated by a user for selectively serving foods or drinks. The self-service apparatus includes a support and a cover fixedly supported by the support for covering foods and drinks. A shaft is suspended from the support, and a rotary disk is rotatably mounted on the shaft to be rotated about the shaft upon actuation of a lever. Servers are carried by the rotary disk and hold a food portion or drink. A desired food portion or drink may be selectively served to the user by operating the lever at a desired position.

Abstract: A circulative catering table having a counter and an endless path of travel for dishes and meals, provided in the counter, at least a bypass path of travel is provided, dishes containing therein meals, which have been transferred on a going path portion of the endless path of travel, are led to the bypass path of travel by an arm member for guide rotatably provided and having a length larger than the width of the path of travel, and subsequently, led to a returning path portion of the endless path of travel by another arm member for guide on the returning path portion, whereby a suitable circulative path is formed by the endless path of travel and the bypass path of travel.

Abstract: A circulating food display system, used in a restaurant for the exhibition of food in a circulatory manner has a food display case and a crescent chain. The food display case is disposed on the boundary between the interior and exterior of the restaurant. The case has a window, facing the exterior through which the interior of the food display case is viewed from the exterior. The crescent chain is disposed within the interior of the restaurant. The chain has a circulating locus, continuously extending within a horizontal plane. Part of the locus is disposed inside the food display case, whereby the food is circulated for exhibition.

Abstract: A portable self-supporting food service conveyor has an elongated rectangular table top supported at each end by box-like pedestal enclosures and in the top of which there is a circular tracking slot within which is removably received an articulated-slat conveyor belt. Centrally supported above the table top are a pair of vertically-spaced, rectangular shelf members for the temporary storage of condiments and other food portions to be placed on removable trays carried by the conveyor belt. One of the support pedestals houses electric drive mechanism for sprocket drive from underneath of a sprocket chain comprising the articulated conveyor belt and projecting through the conveyor tracking slot. The other pedestal houses a refrigerating compressor and evaporator system associated with a cooling coil serving to refrigerate a portion of one of the food holding shelves.