Automated food processing system and method
First Claim
1. An automated method of dispensing, frying and discharging food comprising:
- dispensing a desired quantity portion of food to be fried from an automated dispensing module by gravity into an automated fry module located adjacent the dispensing module;
frying the portion of food dispensed from the dispensing module in the automated fry module adjacent the dispensing module to produce a quantity of fried food; and
discharging the quantity of fried food from the fry module.
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Accused Products
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 dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. After a food container is filled, a conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated method of dispensing, frying and discharging food comprising:
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dispensing a desired quantity portion of food to be fried from an automated dispensing module by gravity into an automated fry module located adjacent the dispensing module; frying the portion of food dispensed from the dispensing module in the automated fry module adjacent the dispensing module to produce a quantity of fried food; and discharging the quantity of fried food from the fry module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An automated method for dispensing, frying and discharging French fries comprising:
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containing French fries to be dispensed in a storage container located in an environment that is below 32°
F.;dispensing a predetermined quantity of French fries from the storage container into a secondary container located in an environment that is below 32°
F.;dispensing the quantity of French fries from the secondary container to a location outside of the environment that is below 32°
F. and into a frying module;frying with the frying device the French fries dispensed from the dispensing module to produce a quantity of fried French fries; and discharging the French fries from the frying module. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An automated method of dispensing, frying and discharging food comprising:
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providing an automated dispensing device contained in a first housing, and comprising a freezer, a storage container located in the freezer for containing the food to be dispensed, means for dispensing a predetermined quantity of food from the storage container into a secondary container, said means and said secondary container located in the freezer, and means for dispensing the quantity of food from the secondary container to a location outside the freezer; providing an automated fry device contained in a second housing and comprising a fry vat for containing and heating cooking oil, at least one circular fry wheel having at least a generally circular perimeter and a plurality of compartments, each compartment having an opening towards the perimeter, the fry wheel mounted for rotational movement relative to the radial axis of the fry wheel, which radial axis is disposed above the normal operating level of the frying oil in the fry vat and a drive mechanism for rotating the fry wheel; dispensing a predetermined quantity of food from the storage container to the secondary container; dispensing the quantity of food from the secondary container from the dispensing device into one of the compartments of the circular fry wheel; rotating the fry wheel to move the quantity of food dispensed into the compartment into the cooking oil in the fry vat to fry the quantity of food; thereafter rotating the fry wheel to move the fried quantity of food out of the frying oil; and thereafter discharging the quantity of fried food from the compartment and the fry device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification