Automated method of packaging food items

US7824721B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGY INC. · US

Inventors

• Gerald A. Sus · Frankfort, US
• Glenn Schackmuth · Oswego, US
• Craig Conley · Oswego, US
• Ron Dorsten · Oak Brook, US
• Henry T. Ewald · Schaumburg, US
• Jenny Hong · Palatine, US
• Mario G. Ceste · Wallingford, US
• William Day · Janesville, US
• Benny Nunley · Rue de l'Église, US
• Curtis Clarence Pinnow · Libertyville, US
• Charles E. Rose · Nashua, US
• Chris Coul · Geneva, US
• Mike Zizas · Bloomingdale, US
• Dusan N. Ivancevic · Addison, US
• Gregery M. Billman · Schaumburg, US
• Steve Yagla · Bloomingdale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 2, 2007
• Grant date: Nov 2, 2010
• Expiry date: Aug 23, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47J37/1228
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An automated method of packaging cooked French fries in an individual portion-sized French fry container is provided, wherein the cooked French fries are mechanically delivered to a holding bin, an empty French fry container is mechanically scooped into the cooked French fries to fill the container, and the filled French fry container is mechanically deposited at a drop-off location. The cooked French fries may be received on an inlet chute, the inlet chute optionally vibrated to assist gravity in causing the French fries to travel into the holding bin. Seasoning may be applied to the French fries while the French fries are on the inlet chute, optionally restrained by one or more gates. After filling, the filled container may be mechanically shaken. Additionally, the empty French fry containers may be mechanically selected from a plurality of different-sized collapsed containers, mechanically obtained, and mechanically erected prior to scooping.