Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Separating means
Patent
1994-10-28
1996-07-23
Terrell, William E.
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Separating means
209926, 209941, B07C 900
Patent
active
055381430
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating cutlery from restaurant waste, the apparatus including a glacis collecting the waste which slides on it together with any cutlery in a direction towards the opening of a waste container, which is supported by a stand, implemented such that the glacis is preferably positionally adjustable at the container, there being at least two flaps, movable between end positions such as to enable separation of cutlery and the prevention of these items from coming into the container, as well as at least one detector arranged at the glacis before the flaps in the sliding direction of the waste, for sending a signal when an item of cutlery passes over it, the signal controlling a drive means for causing movement of the flaps between their end positions.
An apparatus for separating cutlery from restaurant waste is already known, where the waste containing cutlery is accumulated in a special hopper, before the waste is fed further downwards into a waste container, the operator scraping off the waste from plates and the like having to put his hand into the waste to retrieve the cutlery thus trapped. This is, of course, not regarded favorably by persons cleaning off the dishes before they are washed. In many cases it has therefore been found that cutlery retrieval has been neglected, these items being lost in spite of the measures taken. From studies made in restaurant kitchens in hotels it has been found that not just one or two items, but large amounts of cutlery are lost in this way, particularly when the restaurant has many customers and the waiters are flurried, cutlery being tipped together with waste into the waste container, although special arrangements have been made to catch or arrest and search the waste, which could contain cutlery, since it is always unpleasant for personnel to retrieve the cutlery, particularly in rush-hour conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the kind mentioned in the introduction for separating cutlery from waste, werewith the problems mentioned above are eliminated. The distinguishing features of the invention are disclosed in the accompanying claims.
As a result of the present invention there has now been achieved an apparatus, with the aid of which cutlery unintentionally tipped away with waste from a plate or the like can be readily dealt with. The cutlery which has been separated from the waste and retrieved is namely collected in a separate cutlery collection receptacle, suitably formed with interstices, through which any food residue adhering to the cutlery may be flushed away. The cutlery can then be put in the restaurant dish washer in the usual way.
The invention is described in more detail hereinafter, with the aid of some embodiment examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, where
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention for separating cutlery from restaurant waste,
FIG. 2 is a schematic view from above of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, where cutlery is sorted out with the aid of two flaps, which are movable between end positions, and are pivotably mounted on hinges over a cutlery collection receptacle, these flaps being shown in their closed positions,
FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, but more in side view, and where the flaps are in their parted, open positions and
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a part of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first, preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus includes a stand 1, there being a glacis 2 arranged at its upper end. The glacis 2 is adjustable for obtaining a suitable incline, and is made from stainless steel or p
REFERENCES:
patent: 3289832 (1966-12-01), Ramsay
patent: 4161251 (1979-07-01), Paul
Bygge Bjorn
Hellman Jan
Nguyen Tuan
Terrell William E.
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