Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated blessed food distribution device that is capable of enabling seamless and convenient access to a user for consuming blessed food, thereby enhancing overall user experience and ensuring adequate delivery of food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The distribution of blessed food is an integral part of spiritual practices, community gatherings, and charitable initiatives in many cultures and faiths. Blessed food, also known as prasad or langar, serves as a symbol of spiritual nourishment, community bonding, and compassion. However, the traditional methods of distributing blessed food often pose significant challenges, inefficiencies, and health concerns.

[0003] Traditionally, blessed food distribution involves manual preparation, serving, and dispensing by volunteers or clergy. This labor-intensive process typically involves manual preparation and portioning of food, serving food directly from large containers or trays, and limited or no control over food temperature, handling, and hygiene. Recipients often face long queues and waiting times, which is inconvenient, uncomfortable, and discouraging.

[0004] CN110550465A discloses the invention particularly relates to a quick food distribution device which comprises a distribution box with an opening at the upper end, wherein a plurality of distribution pipes are arranged on the left side of the distribution box and are communicated with the distribution box, a push plate is arranged in the distribution box, a push rod is arranged on the push plate, and the push rod extends out of the right side of the distribution box and is connected with a handle. Through promoting the push pedal, can realize the quick distribution of food in the distributor box, the food after the distribution falls down from the distributor pipe, the device simple structure, simple operation.

[0005] DE102009051164B4 discloses a device for food distribution with a rectangular, stackable tray made of plastic and with crockery components for loading trays, the crockery components being parts of a set of elements which comprises rectangular trays as basic components and further rectangular system components. The dimensions of the system components are selected such that the system components each in exchange for two basic components arranged next to each other and the system component in exchange for four basic components find space on the tray, the tray having two storage areas spatially separated by a web, on each of which a plurality of the basic components can be arranged, and wherein the Dimensions of the two storage surfaces in the transverse direction as well as in the longitudinal direction of the tray are at most 10% larger than that Sum of the outer dimensions of base components arranged next to one another when the storage areas.

[0006] Conventionally, there exists many devices that are capable of distributing food among users, however these existing devices fail in making sure that each user receives blessed food as per their age, which causes mess. In addition, these existing devices are also incapable of enhancing hygiene of the user by sanitizing the user’s hand before distribution.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that requires to be capable of distributing blessed food among large quantity of the user as per their age without causing any mess. Furthermore, the developed device also needs to be potent enough of maintaining hygiene of the user before distributing the blessed food to the user for reducing contamination.

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 providing an efficient and automated blessed food distribution solution, allowing users to easily access and receive blessed food in a streamlined and organized manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of ensuring, that each user receives an appropriate serving by determining the optimal amount of food to be dispensed based on individual's age.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of prioritizing enhanced hygiene and safety for users by sanitizing the user’s hand and controlling temperature to maintain optimal food storage conditions, thereby minimizing the risk of contamination and ensuring a clean environment.

[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 an automated blessed food distribution device that is capable of significantly reducing waiting times and eliminates operational inefficiencies by streamlining the distribution of blessed food in accordance with the user’s age, making it easily accessible to users.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated blessed food distribution device, comprising a cuboidal housing developed to be placed over a ground, multiple chambers installed inside the housing and stored with varying types of the blessed food, a touch interactive display panel installed on the housing to allow a user to provide input commands regarding dispensing on the type of the blessed food, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the housing to capture multiple images to monitor age of the user, in accordance to which a microcontroller evaluates a weight of the blessed food and a container installed inside the housing and having multiple disposable bowls held by a pair of motorized clamping units arranged on inner side of the walls of the container, to release withdraw one of the bowls over a platform arranged beneath the container.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of an electronic nozzle installed with a chamber stored with liquid blessed food to dispense the liquid blessed food in the bowl, an expandable arm and motorized ball and socket joint to flexibly move a hemi-spherical structure installed with an expandable arm to scoop the semi-liquid blessed food from a particular chamber and dispense the blessed food on the bowl, a robotic arm with a motorized clamp installed inside the housing to grip and withdraw the solid blessed food onto the bowl, a vessel installed with the housing and stored with hand sanitizer to enable the user to place their hand beneath the vessel, a temperature sensor equipped with the housing to monitor ambient temperature of surroundings, a Peltier unit arranged with each of the chamber to maintain ideal storage conditions and a battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein.

[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 an automated blessed food distribution 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 an automated blessed food distribution device that is capable of facilitating a hassle-free and organized delivery of blessed food to a user in accordance with their age for fair serving of blessed food, thereby minimizing human error and maximizing efficiency.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated blessed food distribution device is illustrated, comprising a cuboidal housing 101 installed with plurality of chambers 102, a touch interactive display panel 103 is crafted on the housing 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 mounted on the housing 101, a container 105 integrated inside the housing 101, stored with multiple disposable bowls 106 such that the bowls 106 are held by a pair of motorized clamping units 107 provided on inner side walls of the container 105, a hollow pipe 108 with an electronic nozzle 109 attached with a chamber.

[0023] Figure 1 further illustrates a hemi-spherical structure 110 connected to an expandable arm 111 with motorized ball and socket joint 112 installed inside the housing 101, a robotic arm 113 installed inside the housing 101 and attached with a motorized clamp 114, a vessel 115 is arranged with the housing 101, an electronic valve 116 installed with the vessel 115 and a circular cavity 117 is carved on the housing 101 and a platform 118 installed underneath the container 105.

[0024] The device disclosed herein, comprises of a cuboidal housing 101, which is serves as a main structure 110 of the device and placed over a ground. The housing 101 integrated with multiple chambers 102, which is stored with varying types of the blessed food. The process begins with where a user provides input commands for dispensing on the type of the blessed food such as liquid, semi-liquid and solid blessed food over a touch interactive display panel 103 installed on the housing 101.

[0025] The touch interactive display panel 103 as mentioned herein is typically an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding dispensing one of the stored type of the blessed food. A touch controller is typically connected to a microcontroller through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to PI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

[0026] The microcontroller processes these provided input commands and actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 installed on the housing 101 to capture multiple high resolution images from various angle to monitor age of the user. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the user.

[0027] The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the imaging unit 104 is real-time images of the user’s surrounding. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines age of the user. After detecting the user’s age, the microcontroller evaluates a weight of the blessed food.

[0028] A container 105 installed inside the housing 101 and having multiple disposable bowls 106. The bowls 106 are held by a pair of motorized clamping units 107 arranged on inner side of the walls of the container 105. Based on the detected weight of the blessed food, the microcontroller actuates the clamping units 107 to release withdraw one of the bowls 106 over a platform 118 arranged beneath the container 105, wherein a circular cavity 117 crafted on the housing 101 adjacent to the platform 118 to enable the user to access the blessed food from the housing 101.

[0029] The clamping units 107 includes a pair of flaps which are pivoted with each other for allowing the axial motion of the flaps required for withdrawing disposal bowls 106 over the platform 118, a DC motor is paired with the pivot joint that is activated by the microcontroller for providing a rotational motion to the joint for automating the movement of the flaps for releasing the bowls 106 on the platform 118.

[0030] If the user provided input regarding liquid blessed food over the display panel 103, then the microcontroller actuates an electronic nozzle 109 installed with a chamber, which is stored with liquid blessed food to dispense the liquid blessed food in the bowl. The electronic nozzle 109 works by utilizing electrical energy to automize the flow solution in a controlled flow pattern by converting the pressure energy of a fluid into kinetic energy, which increases the fluid's velocity. Upon actuation of nozzle 109 by the microcontroller, the electric motor or the pump pressurizes the incoming liquid blessed food, increasing its pressure significantly. High pressure enables the liquid blessed food to be sprayed out with a high force.

[0031] If the user provided input regarding semi-liquid blessed food over the display panel 103, then the microcontroller actuates an expandable arm 111 and motorized ball and socket joint 112 synchronously to flexibly move a hemi-spherical structure 110 installed with an expandable arm 111. The expandable arm 111 allows itself to change its diameter without any physical effort. The expandable arm 111 consists of two main components, an outer pulley shell and an inner core.

[0032] The inner core is mounted on a shaft and is capable of moving axially within the outer shell. By changing the position of the inner core relative to the outer shell, the effective diameter of the arm is increased/decreased. When the core moves towards the centre of the shell, the arm is retracted and when the core moves away the diameter increases for moving the structure 110.

[0033] At the same time, the ball and socket joint 112, the motorized ball and socket joint 112 consists of a ball-shaped element that fits into a socket, which provides rotational freedom in various directions. The ball is connected to a motor, typically a servo motor which provides the controlled movement. The structure 110 is attached to the socket of the motorized ball and socket joint 112. The motor responds by adjusting the ball and socket joint 112 and rotates the ball in the desired direction, and this motion is transferred to the socket that holds the structure 110. As the ball and socket joint 112 move, it provides the necessary flexible movement to the structure 110 to scoop the semi-liquid blessed food from a particular chamber and dispense the blessed food on the bowl.

[0034] If the user provided input regarding solid blessed food over the display panel 103, the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 113 with a motorized clamp 114 installed inside the housing 101 to grip and withdraw the solid blessed food onto the bowl. The robotic arm 113 is a type of mechanical arm which is usually available with similar function to a human arm. The segments of such a manipulator are connected by joints allowing either rotational motion or translational displacement. The robotic arm 113 contains several segments that are attached together by joints also referred to as axes.

[0035] The robotic arm 113 contains several segments that are attached together by motorized joints also referred to as axes. Each joints of the segments contains a step motor that rotates and allows the robotic arm 113 to complete a specific motion in translating the clamp 114 for gripping and withdrawing the solid blessed food onto the bowl evenly.

[0036] Before receiving the blessed food, a vessel 115 installed with the housing 101 and stored with hand sanitizer, which allows the user to place their hand beneath the vessel 115. After detecting the user’s hand with the help of the imaging unit 104, the microcontroller actuates an electronic valve 116 mounted with the vessel 115 to dispense the sanitizer for sanitizing the user’s hand. The electronic valve 116 mentioned herein work same as abovementioned electronic nozzle 109.

[0037] A temperature sensor equipped with the housing 101 to monitor ambient temperature of surroundings. The core component of the temperature sensor is the sensing element which may include but is not limited to thermistors, thermocouples, or resistance detectors. The sensing element detects temperature changes in surroundings by altering its electrical properties. As the temperature increases and decreases, the resistance of the sensing element changes accordingly. The microcontroller continuously monitors the data from the temperature sensor and determine temperature of the surroundings.

[0038] Based on the monitored temperature, the microcontroller activate a Peltier unit arranged with each of the chamber to maintain ideal storage conditions. The Peltier unit is a thermoelectric cooler that uses the Peltier effect to transfer heat from one side of the unit to the other when an electrical current is passed. The Peltier unit consists of two semiconductor materials connected in a sandwich-like fashion. These materials are typically made of bismuth telluride and one side of the Peltier unit is called the hot side and the other is the cold side.

[0039] When a direct current is applied to the Peltier unit, electrodes within the semiconductor material start moving from one side to the other. The Peltier effect occurs as a result of electron movement. When electrons flow from the cold side to the hot side, they carry heat with them. This leads to one side of the Peltier unit becoming colder, and the other side becoming hooter. This effect allows the Peltier unit to effectively transfer heat from one side to the other, creating a temperature gradient.

[0040] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0041] The present invention works best in following manner, where the cuboidal housing 101 as disclosed in the invention is developed to be placed over the ground, multiple chambers 102 stored with varying types of the blessed food, the touch interactive display panel 103 to allow the user to provide input commands regarding dispensing on the type of the blessed food, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 to capture multiple images to monitor age of the user, in accordance to which the microcontroller evaluates the weight of the blessed food, the container 105 having multiple disposable bowls 106 held by the pair of motorized clamping units 107 withdraws one of the bowls 106 over the platform 118 arranged beneath the container 105. Simultaneously, the electronic nozzle 109 stored with liquid blessed food to dispense the liquid blessed food in the bowl, the expandable arm 111 and motorized ball and socket joint 112 to flexibly move the hemi-spherical structure 110 to scoop the semi-liquid blessed food from the particular chamber and dispense the blessed food on the bowl, the robotic arm 113 with the motorized clamp 114 to grip and withdraw the solid blessed food onto the bowl, the vessel 115 stored with hand sanitizer to enable the user to place their hand beneath the vessel 115, the temperature sensor to monitor ambient temperature of surroundings, the Peltier unit to maintain ideal storage conditions and the battery to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein.

[0042] 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) An automated blessed food distribution device, comprising:

i) a cuboidal housing 101 positioned on a ground surface and installed with plurality of chambers 102 stored with different type of blessed food in a segregated manner, wherein a touch interactive display panel 103 is crafted on said housing 101 for receiving input commands of a user regarding dispensing one of said type of blessed food;
ii) a microcontroller linked with said display panel 103 upon receiving said user’s input commands activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 paired with a processor mounted on said housing 101 for capturing and processing multiple images of said user, respectively, for detecting age of said user, based on which said microcontroller determines a weight of said blessed food to be dispensed for said user;
iii) a container 105 integrated inside said housing 101, stored with multiple disposable bowls 106 such that said bowls 106 are held by a pair of motorized clamping units 107 provided on inner side walls of said container 105, wherein said microcontroller actuates said clamping units 107 units for releasing one of said bowls 106 such that said bowl is transferred to a platform 118 installed underneath said container 105;
iv) a hollow pipe 108 with an electronic nozzle 109 attached with a chamber stored with liquid blessed food, wherein said microcontroller regulates actuation of said nozzle 109 to direct liquid blessed food onto said bowl, in case said user-specified type of blessed food corresponds to liquid blessed food;
v) a hemi-spherical structure 110 connected to an expandable arm 111 with motorized ball and socket joint 112 installed inside said housing 101 that are synchronously actuated by said microcontroller to provide stable and flexible movement to said structure 110, to scoop semi-liquid blessed food from a specific chamber and serve said blessed food onto said bowl smoothly; and
vi) a robotic arm 113 installed inside said housing 101 and attached with a motorized clamp 114, wherein in case said user-specified type of blessed food corresponds to solid blessed food, said microcontroller actuates said robotic arm 113 and clamp 114 to grasp solid offerings and serve over said bowl.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a vessel 115 is arranged with said housing 101 and stored with hand sanitizer, wherein upon detecting presence of said individual’s hand underneath vessel 115, said microcontroller actuates an electronic valve 116 installed with said vessel 115 for dispensing said sanitizer in view of sanitizing said user’s hand.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor in embedded with said housing 101 to detect ambient temperature of surroundings, based on which said microcontroller actuates a Peltier unit integrated with each chambers 102 to maintain optimal blessing food storage conditions.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a circular cavity 117 is carved on said housing 101, in continuation to said platform 118, for allowing said user to access said blessed food from said housing 101.