Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a food wrapping device that wraps food with a wrapping sheet in an automated manner by automatically dispensing and cutting the sheet from a spool of wrapping sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cling wrap, also known as plastic wrap, food wrap, or cling film, is a thin plastic film commonly used for wrapping and covering food items to keep them fresh. It is made from polyethylene, a type of plastic that is transparent, flexible and has high level of clinginess, which allows it to adhere to various surfaces. Cling wrap prevent food from drying out, keeps odors contained, and also maintain the freshness of perishable items. Also cling wrap is often used to cover bowls or containers during food preparation to prevent splatters or contamination.

[0003] Traditionally, food items or containers are wrapped by the cling wrap manually by unrolling the cling wrap from the roll and wrap around the item manually by stretching it. However, not necessary but some tools like cling wrap dispenser are used to make the wrapping process more convenient. While these traditional methods offer many benefits but they also pose many challenges and drawbacks. Traditional methods heavily rely on manual labor, making the wrapping process physically demanding. Also traditional techniques lack in precision and speed which makes the overall process time consuming.

[0004] US5186376A discloses about a dispenser used for dispensing plastic film from a roll, which includes a housing that may be mounted under a shelf or cupboard or on a wall. The housing consists of a cover unit that is installed in the place of use and a releasable base unit that fits into the bottom of the cover unit and is held in place with resiliently biased locking tabs. The base unit carries the roll of film, so that the roll is readily installed on the base unit when separated from the cover. The loaded base unit is easily lifted into place. The film is dispensed through a dispensing slot at the back of the base unit. Lengths of film are severed using a cutter at the front of the base unit. The length of film between the dispensing opening and the cutter is prevented from clinging to the underside of the base unit by using a non-planar, roughened surface on the underside of the base plate. The non-planar aspect of the surface is preferably provided by a series of ribs and a sandblasted surface texture to provide the desired non-planar, roughened surface. Though, US’376 discloses about an invention that relates to a dispenser used for dispensing plastic film from a roll. However, the cited invention lacks in cutting the dispensed sheet in an automated manner.

[0005] GB2546595A discloses about a cling film dispenser which includes a roll support for rotatably supporting a roll of cling film or the like (not shown), preferably within a dispenser body, a cutting bed comprising a cutter guide and a film transporter, which may be stored in the dispenser body. The transporter has a film contact surface to which the film inherently tends to adhere and a handle for a user, the film transporter being used to manually draw film from the roll of cling film whereby a required length of film extends beyond the cutter guide with the film positioned in contact with the cutting bed for cutting by a cutter such as a knife (not shown) which may traverse the width of the film along a cutter guide groove. Subsequent to cutting of the film the transporter may be used to manually transport the cut length of film to the location at it is to be employed. Though, GB’595 discloses about an invention that relates to a cling film dispenser. However, the cited invention lacks in automatically wrapping the food with the cling film.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of assisting a user in wrapping food with the cling wrap. However, these devices are incapable of carrying out the whole wrapping process in an automated and precise manner with minimal human intervention. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in effectively cutting the wrapping sheet after the wrapping of the food, thereby fails to reduce human efforts.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of wrapping food items with a wrapping sheet in a precise and automated manner. In addition, the developed device also effectively cut the wrapping sheet after the wrapping of the food is completed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of wrapping food items with wrapping sheet in an automated manner by detecting the presence of food item to be wrapped.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of effectively cutting the wrapping sheet after the wrapping of the food is completed, thereby eliminating the need to manually cut the sheet.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is easy-to-operate, user-friendly, and portable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a food wrapping device that is capable of wrapping food items effectively with a wrapping sheet in an automated manner by detecting the presence of food. Further the device is portable in nature and is able to be affixed over any fixed surface.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a food wrapping device comprises of an elongated cuboidal housing having a V-shaped member attached underneath the housing supporting the housing on a surface, plurality of suction cups are provided at bottom ends of the member for stabilizing the housing on the surface, an L-shaped telescopic arm having motorized primary ball and socket joints at the ends is connected with the housing and a circular plate is attached with the arm for holding food for wrapping, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the housing and integrated with a processor to determine food placed on the plate, a motorized roller disposed within the housing containing a spool of wrapping sheet, an elongated slit formed at a front surface of the housing, a pair of rectangular flaps having motorized pop-out balls at the inwards surfaces for dispensing the sheet from the slit, and a telescopic gripper installed on the housing pulls the sheet from the slit.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of an L-shaped telescopic bar incorporated on the housing by means of a secondary ball and socket joint and having a flexible tray at an end for pressing the dispensed sheet around the food for clinging of the sheet on the food, further the arm and the primary ball and socket joints rotate the plate for covering the food by the sheet, a sliding unit having a blade attached with a front edge of the flap to cut dispensed sheet, a microphone provided on the housing for receiving an audio command from the user regarding wrapping of food, a touch-enabled display unit is provided on the housing to enable the user to provide touch input regarding initiating or hating the wrapping process, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a food wrapping device; and
Figure 2 illustrates an inner view of an elongated cuboidal housing associated with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a food wrapping device that provide a means for wrapping food items with a wrapping sheet in an automated manner. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of automatically cutting the sheet after wrapping the food item.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 and 2, an isometric view of a food wrapping device and an inner view of an elongated cuboidal housing associated with the proposed device are illustrated, comprising an elongated cuboidal housing 101 having a V-shaped member 102 attached underneath the housing 101, plurality of suction cups 103 are provided at bottom ends of the member 102, a motorized roller 201 disposed within the housing 101, an elongated slit 202 formed at a front surface of the housing 101, a pair of rectangular flaps 104 having motorized pop-out balls 105 at the inwards surfaces are arranged on lateral sides of the slit 202, a telescopic gripper 203 installed on the housing 101, an L-shaped telescopic arm 106 having motorized primary ball and socket joints 107 at the ends connected with the housing 101, a circular plate 108 is attached with the arm 106, a sliding unit 109 having a blade 110 attached with a front edge of the flap, an L-shaped telescopic bar 111 incorporated on the housing 101 by means of a secondary ball and socket joint 112 and having a flexible tray 113 at an end, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 114 installed on the housing 101, a microphone 115 provided on the housing 101, and a touch-enabled display unit 116 is provided on the housing 101.

[0023] The device disclosed herein comprises of an elongated cuboidal housing 101 incorporating various components associated with the device and developed to be positioned on a fixed surface by means of a V-shaped member 102 attached underneath the housing 101. The housing 101 serves as the core structure and is made up of lightweight and durable material that includes but not limited to reinforced plastic or metal that offer strength and rigidity to the housing 101, making it resistant to mechanical stress and pressure. Vibration-dampening materials are integrated into the body to minimize noise and shaking of the body during operations in order to enhance device longevity.

[0024] The bottom ends of the member 102 are provided with multiple suction cups 103 (ranging from 4 to 6 in numbers) for stabilizing the housing 101 on the surface. The suction cups 103 are used to create a vacuum seal between the fixed surface and the member 102. When the suction cups 103 are pressed against the fixed surface by a user, the initial contact creates a seal between the cup’s flexible rim and the surface. The suction cup used herein are made up of silicone rubber that easily eliminates pressure inside the suction cup for creating a vacuum between the cup and the fixed surface in order to affix the housing 101 firmly with the fixed surface to prevent undesired movement of the housing 101 on the surface.

[0025] The housing 101 is installed with an L-shaped telescopic arm 106 having motorized primary ball and socket joints 107 at the ends and attached with a circular plate 108 at the free end, wherein upon stabilizing the housing 101 over the fixed surface, the user is required to manually accommodate a container filled with food or a cut fruit that is to be wrapped, over the plate 108.

[0026] Upon placing the food over the plate 108, the user is required to access a microphone 115 provided on the housing 101 to provide an audio command regarding wrapping of the food. The microphone 115 receives the user voice commands and converts the sound energy emitted by the user into electrical energy. Inside the microphone 115, a diaphragm made of plastic is present that moves back and forth when the sound wave hits the diaphragm, which then moves a coil attached to the diaphragm in the same way in order to generate an electrical signal proportional to the sound. The electric signal from coil flows to an amplifier which amplifies the electrical signal. The amplified electrical signal is then sent to an inbuilt microcontroller linked to the microphone 115.

[0027] The microcontroller, in conjunction with the microphone 115, processes voice commands using voice recognition technology, in order to determine the input voice commands and accordingly actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 114 installed on the housing 101 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the housing 101, respectively. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 114 comprises of a high-resolution camera lens, digital camera sensor and a processor, wherein the lens captures multiple images from different angles and perspectives in vicinity of the housing 101 with the help of digital camera sensor for providing comprehensive coverage of the plate 108.

[0028] The captured images then go through pre-processing steps by the processor integrated with the camera. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operation including pre-processing, feature extraction and classification in order to enhance the image quality, which includes adjusting brightness and contrast and removing any distortion or noise. The pre-processed images are transmitted to the microcontroller linked with the processor in the form of electrical signals.

[0029] The microcontroller further processes the received signals in order to determine presence of food placed on the plate 108. A motorized roller 201 is installed within the housing 101 containing a spool of wrapping sheet, wherein upon successful detection of food, the microcontroller actuates the roller 201 to rotate and unwrap the sheet. The motorized roller 201 used herein is a mechanical unit designed to rotate on its axis with the help of an integrated electric motor. The roller 201 consists of a cylindrical roller tube that serves as a surface for accommodating the sheet.

[0030] The motorized roller 201 is equipped with an electric motor that provides the rotational power necessary to turn the roller 201. The motor is connected to the roller tube through a drive mechanism, which involves gears, belts to transfer the motor’s rotational force to the roller 201, causing the roller 201 to spin and unwrap the sheet. An elongated slit 202 is formed at a front surface of the housing 101 and the lateral sides of the slit 202 are arranged with a pair of rectangular flaps 104 having motorized pop-out balls 105 at the inwards surfaces.

[0031] As the roller 201 unwrap the sheet, the microcontroller simultaneously actuates the pop-out balls 105 to rotate and dispense the unwrapped sheet from the slit 202. The pop-out balls 105 used herein works on a roller simple mechanism that are powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is activated by the microcontroller. Upon getting actuation command from the microcontroller, the motor starts rotating in clockwise and anticlockwise direction producing rotational motion. This force is then transmitted to the mechanism that forces the ball out of its compartment to rotate and allow the unwrapped sheet to slide over the flaps 104 and get dispensed out of the slit 202.

[0032] Once the sheet is dispensed out of the slit 202, the microcontroller actuates a telescopic gripper 203 installed on the housing 101 to extend/retract and grip the free-end of the dispensed sheet. The extension of the gripper 203 is powered by a pneumatic unit associated with device that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension of the gripper 203.

[0033] The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air. The air compressor is consisting of two main parts including a motor and a pump. The motor powers the compressor pump which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend. The piston is attached to the gripper 203, wherein the extension of the piston corresponds to the extension of the gripper 203 in order to get positioned in contact with the free-end of the sheet.

[0034] Upon positioning of the gripper 203, the microcontroller actuates the gripper 203 to grip free-end of the sheet. The gripper 203 incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper 203. The motor generates the necessary force to move the gripper’s fingers for the opening and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is controlled by the microcontroller to acquire a grip over the free-end of the sheet.

[0035] Upon successful gripping of the sheet, the microcontroller re-actuates the telescopic mechanism of the gripper 203 to further extend and pull the sheet out of the housing 101 via the slit 202 and position the sheet over the food accommodated on the circular plate 108. Post positioning of the sheet over the food, the microcontroller actuates the primary ball and socket joints 107 to rotate the plate 108 for fully covering the food by the sheet. The motorized ball and socket joints used herein is a mechanical component that connects the arm 106 to the housing 101 and the plate 108. The ball and socket joint permits rotational and tilting movements, enabling the plate 108 to rotate on its axis.

[0036] The ball and socket joint is a coupling consisting of a ball joint securely locked within a socket joint, where the ball joint is able to move in a 360-dgree rotation within the socket thus, providing the required movement to the plate 108. The ball and socket joint is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is actuated by the microcontroller for providing required rotation to the plate 108 in order to enable the plate 108 to rotate the food along with the sheet for entirely covering the food by the sheet.

[0037] Once the food is covered entirely by the sheet, the microcontroller actuates an L-shaped telescopic bar 111 installed on the housing 101 by means of a secondary ball and socket joint 112 to extend and position a flexible tray 113 configured with the bar 111, over the dispensed sheet. The extension of the telescopic bar 111 mentioned herein is powered by the pneumatic unit in the same manner as of the telescopic arm 106 in order to position the tray 113 over the dispensed sheet.

[0038] Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates the secondary ball and socket joint 112 to provide required movement to the bar 111 for pressing the dispensed sheet around the food by means of flexible tray 113 in order to cling the sheet on the food. The secondary ball and socket joint 112 mentioned herein works in the same manner as of the primary ball and socket joints 107 described above.

[0039] Once the food is properly wrapped by the sheet, the microcontroller actuates a sliding unit 109 attached with a front edge of the flap to translate a blade 110 integrated with the sliding unit 109 in order to cut the dispensed sheet. The sliding unit 109 used herein consists of a sliding-rail and multiple rolling members which are integrated with a step motor. On actuation, the step motor rotates the rolling members in order to provide rolling motion to the members which results in sliding of the blade 110 for cutting the dispensed sheet.

[0040] Further, the user is able to access a touch-enabled display unit 116 provided on the housing 101 to provide touch input regarding initiating or terminating the wrapping process. The touch-enabled display used herein is a type of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that detect touch input from a user. It consists of both an input unit (preferably a capacitive touch panel) and an output unit (a visual display). The capacitive touch panel is layered on the top of the visual display. The touch panel consists of an insulator such as glass, coated with a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0041] When the user touches the surface of the screen for giving input commands, the electrostatic field of the screen gets distorted, that is measured as a change in capacitance. This change in capacitance is used to determine the location of the touch. The determined location of the touch is then sent in the form of electrical signals to the microcontroller linked with the display unit 116. The microcontroller processes the received signals and accordingly initiate or terminate the wrapping process.

[0042] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0043] The proposed invention works best in the following manner, where the elongated cuboidal housing 101 is developed to be positioned on the fixed surface via the V-shaped member 102. The user is required to accommodate the for wrapping over the circular plate 108. Upon placing the food, the user access the microphone 115 to provide audio command regarding wrapping of food. Based on which the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 114 integrated with the processor determine presence of food placed on plate 108. Upon successful detection, the motorized roller 201 rotates to unwrap the wrapping sheet. Further, the pair of rectangular flaps 104 having motorized pop-out balls 105 at the inwards surfaces rotates to dispense the unwrapped sheet from the elongated slit 202. Afterwards, the telescopic gripper 203 pulls the sheet from the slit 202 and place over the accommodated food. Subsequently, the L-shaped telescopic bar 111 press the dispensed sheet around the food via the flexible tray 113 for clinging of the sheet on the food. Further the arm 106 and the primary ball and socket joints 107 rotate the plate 108 for covering the food by the sheet. After wrapping, the sliding unit 109 translate the blade 110 to cut dispensed sheet. Furthermore, the touch-enabled display unit 116 enable the user to provide touch input regarding initiating or hating the wrapping process.

[0044] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A food wrapping device, comprising:

i) an elongated cuboidal housing 101 having a V-shaped member 102 attached underneath said housing 101 supporting said housing 101 on a surface, wherein a plurality of suction cups 103 are provided at bottom ends of said member 102 for stabilizing said housing 101 on said surface;
ii) a motorized roller 201 disposed within said housing 101, containing a spool of wrapping sheet, wherein a telescopic gripper 203 installed on said housing 101 pulls said sheet from said slit 202;
iii) an elongated slit 202 formed at a front surface of said housing 101, wherein a pair of rectangular flaps 104 having motorized pop-out balls 105 at the inwards surfaces, for dispensing said sheet from said slit 202;
iv) an L-shaped telescopic arm 106 having motorized primary ball and socket joints 107 at the ends, connected with said housing 101, wherein a circular plate 108 is attached with said arm 106 for holding food for wrapping;
v) a sliding unit 109 having a blade 110 attached with a front edge of said flap, to cut dispensed sheet;
vi) an L-shaped telescopic bar 111 incorporated on said housing 101, by means of a secondary ball and socket joint 112, and having a flexible tray 113 at an end for pressing said dispensed sheet around said food for clinging of said sheet on said food; and
vii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 114, installed on said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for recording and processing images in a vicinity of said housing 101, to determine food placed on said plate 108 to trigger a microcontroller to actuate said roller 201 and said pop-out balls 105 to dispense said sheet and said gripper 203 to pull said sheet across said food, said arm 106 and said primary ball and socket joints 107 to rotate said plate 108 for covering said food by said sheet, wherein said secondary ball and socket joint 112 and said bar 111 press said sheet around said food and sliding unit 109 is translated to cut said dispensed sheet.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microphone 115, linked with said microcontroller, provided on said housing 101 for receiving an audio command from said user regarding wrapping of said food to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said imaging unit 114 to determine food placed on said plate 108 to actuate said roller 201 and said pop-out balls 105 to dispense said sheet and said gripper 203 to pull said sheet across said food, said arm 106 and said primary ball and socket joints 107 to rotate said plate 108 for covering said food by said sheet, wherein said secondary ball and socket joint 112 and said bar 111 press said sheet around said food and sliding unit 109 is translated to cut said dispensed sheet.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a touch-enabled display unit 116, linked with said microcontroller, is provided on said housing 101 to enable said user to provide touch input regarding initiating or hating said wrapping process.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.