Methods for automatically making large quantities of pre-cooked eggs having a natural appearance
US8475858B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23L15/00
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention includes methods and devices for mass producing cooked, cooled egg products having a grill fried egg appearance. One device includes a portion for positioning whole, intact, shelled eggs positioned laterally across and above a cooking mold conveyor, and a portion for cracking the eggshells and depositing the eggs into cooking molds on the conveyor. Some devices and methods include an egg yolk splitter for rupturing the egg yolk sac to deposit a whole egg having a ruptured egg yolk into each mold. Other devices and methods include irregular shaped egg molds for providing a mass produced cooked egg having a natural, irregular shaped outlines and/or surfaces. Devices and methods according to the present invention can be used to produce irregular, outlined shaped cooked egg products including whole eggs, formulated eggs, or eggs made from scrambled egg mixes. The pre-cooked eggs can be delivered pathogen free to fast food establishments and reheated for consumers in less time than required to cook the egg.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.