Food dispensing device and method

US7337594B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGY INC. · US

Inventors

• Gerald A. Sus · Frankfort, US
• Ron Dorsten · Oak Brook, US
• Jenny Hong · Palatine, US
• Glenn Schackmuth · Oswego, US
• David Bone · Usk, GB
• Tiffany Curry · Fayetteville, US
• Eddie Mann · Fayetteville, US
• Douglas Greening · Calgary, CA
• John Meisner · New Richmond, US
• John A. J. Wedel · Stillwater, US
• Mario G. Ceste · Wallingford, US
• Curtis Clarence Pinnow · Libertyville, US
• Kevin Keough · Canton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 22, 2002
• Grant date: Mar 4, 2008
• Expiry date: Apr 22, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B43/305
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a food dispensing magazine located in a freezer. Food is dispensed from the magazine to a secondary container located within the freezer for containing a plurality of pieces dispensed from the food magazine. A device is provided for determining the number of food pieces in the container located in the secondary container and for dumping the secondary container so that food pieces contained in the secondary container are dumped to a location outside of the freezer.