Food preparation system and method
US5172328A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/0078
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fully automated robotized system and method is provided for cooking food products. The system and method is especially useful for use in a quick service or fast food restaurant and, in one embodiment, is capable of cooking, on a fully automated basis, french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot, a bulk uncooked food dispensing station, a cooking station and a cooked food storage station. The system can be controlled by a computer operating and control station that controls and directs the robot to obtain bulk food from the dispensing station, place it in cooking position at the cooking station and when cooked, remove the food and deliver it to the storage station, at a rate required to fill anticipated customer orders. In one embodiment, the cooking station is a clamshell grill and the robot deposits on and retrieves from the grill hamburger patties in a predetermined horizontal array with a novel end of arm tool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.