Storage and packaging of bulk food items and method

• US 20120009309A1
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce G. Feinberg, James C. Purgatorio, Ron Dorsten
• Original Assignee: Bruce G. Feinberg, James C. Purgatorio, Ron Dorsten
• Inventors: Dorsten, Ron, Feinberg, Bruce G., Purgatorio, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,357,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/233
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/1219 with means for lowering or raising the frying basket
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/1228 Automatic machines for frying and dispensing metered amounts of food
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/1271 Accessories

Abstract

A semi-automated food processing station, system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, stored and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container for serving to a customer. In one embodiment, the system includes an automated salting device, and may include a pivotable food receiving tray that automatically transfers the food items to one or more storage bins, where an infrared heater maintains the temperature of the food items by directing infrared radiation thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the infrared radiation passes through a filter that filters out the wavelengths of infrared radiation that may be irritating to an operator.

Claims

1. An automated method of processing cooked food items comprising:

a) depositing the cooked food items onto a food item receiving platform;

b) sensing the presence of the food items on the food item receiving platform;

c) initiating operation of an automated seasoning device in response to receiving a signal of sensed food items on the food item receiving platform;

d) depositing a preselected amount of seasoning from the automated seasoning device onto the food items on the food item receiving platform; and

e) after depositing the amount of seasoning, activating a mechanism to transfer the food items from the food item receiving platform to a food storage bin.

2. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 further comprising directing radiant energy onto the food items in the food storage bin.

3. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 2 wherein the radiant energy is directed through a selective radiant energy filter, the filter filtering at least a portion of a preselected range of radiant energy wave lengths.

4. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 3 wherein the filter is capable of filtering at least a portion of the radiant energy in the wavelength range of from about 200 nm to about 380 nm.

5. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 wherein activating the mechanism to transfer the food items includes moving a pivotable tray that pivots through an angle of almost 90°

to tip the tray to at least an essentially vertical position thereby dumping all of the food items in the tray.

6. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 wherein the mechanism to transfer the food items includes a pivotable tray that pivots through an angle of almost 90°

to tip the tray to at least an essentially vertical position thereby dumping all of the food items in the tray.

7. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 wherein after transfer of the food items, infrared heat is directed toward the food items to maintain their temperature at an appropriate temperature, the infrared heat passing through a filter that filters out a preselected range of infrared wavelengths therefrom.

8. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 further comprising delivering the cooked food items from a fryer in a handheld fry basket, wherein depositing the cooked food items onto a food item receiving platform comprises removing the cooked food items from the handheld fry basket.

9. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 further comprising delivering the cooked food items from a fryer in a handheld fry basket, wherein depositing the cooked food items onto a food item receiving platform comprises hanging a handheld fry basket on a bracket, the bracket actuating a release device on the fry basket that releases a catch so as to open the bottom of the fry basket.

10. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 9, wherein the bracket is at a fixed location vertically above the food item receiving platform.

11. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 wherein the automated seasoning device comprises a hopper having a hopper and a rotatable dispensing drum positioned to receive seasoning from the hopper through the hopper opening, wherein depositing a preselected amount of seasoning comprises rotating the dispensing drum to dispense seasoning from the automated seasoning device.

12. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 11 wherein depositing a preselected amount of seasoning further comprises dispersing the dispensed seasoning.

13. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 further comprising separating waste matter in the food items from the food items in the food storage bin.

14. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 13 further comprising collecting the separated waste matter.

15. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 1 further comprising loading an individual package with one or more food items from the food storage bin.

16. The method of processing cooked food items according to claim 15 further comprising placing the loaded individual package in a rack for keeping the loaded individual package upright for service to a customer.

17. An automated food processing device comprising:

a) a food storage bin receiving platform for receiving food items;

b) a radiant energy source for emitting unfiltered radiant energy of preselected wavelengths in the direction of the food storage bin; and

c) a filter for filtering out at least a portion of a preselected range of radiant energy wavelengths, the filter being interposed between the radiant energy source and the food storage bin so that filtered radiant energy contacts the food contained in the bin and so that a human operator can retrieve food from the storage bin without being contacted by the unfiltered radiant energy.

18. The automated food processing device according to claim 17 wherein the filter is capable of filtering at least a portion of the radiant energy in the wavelength range of from about 200 nm to about 380 nm.

19. An automated food processing device comprising:

a) a food storage bin receiving platform for receiving food items;

b) a sensing mechanism for sensing the presence of the food items in the food storage bin;

c) a radiant energy source for emitting radiant energy in the direction of the food storage bin when food items are sensed in the food storage bin; and

d) a filter for filtering out at least a portion of a preselected range of radiant energy wavelengths, the filter being interposed between the radiant energy source and the food storage bin.

20. The automated food processing device according to claim 19 wherein the filter is capable of filtering at least a portion of the radiant energy in the wavelength range of from about 200 nm to about 380 nm.