Automated system and method for handling food containers
First Claim
1. An automated device for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
- a first automated grasping device for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container;
a second automated grasping device for grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container;
a movable grasping assembly providing linear lateral relative movement of the first automated grasping device and the second automated grasping device away from each other while each grasping device grasps the unerected container to cause the container sidewalls to move apart from each other;
wherein at least one of said grasping devices is capable of grasping the container when erected; and
wherein one of said automated grasping devices comprises means for rotating to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
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2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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 dispenses 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
25 Claims
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1. An automated device for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
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a first automated grasping device for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container;
a second automated grasping device for grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container;
a movable grasping assembly providing linear lateral relative movement of the first automated grasping device and the second automated grasping device away from each other while each grasping device grasps the unerected container to cause the container sidewalls to move apart from each other;
wherein at least one of said grasping devices is capable of grasping the container when erected; and
wherein one of said automated grasping devices comprises means for rotating to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automated device for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
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a first automated grasping device for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container;
a second automated grasping device for grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container;
the first and second grasping devices mounted for relative movement away from each other while grasping the unerected container to cause the opposed container sidewalls to move apart from each other;
an urging member for urging the container bottom upwardly when the sidewalls are moved apart;
wherein at least one of said grasping devices is capable of grasping the container when erected; and
wherein one of said automated grasping devices comprises means for rotating to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automated method for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
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grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container with an automated grasping device at a midsection of the container;
grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container with another automated grasping device;
linearly moving the first and second automated grasping devices relatively away from each other while each grasping device grasps the unerected container to cause movement of the container sidewalls away from each other; and
rotating one of said grasping devices to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An automated method for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
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grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container with an automated grasping device;
grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container with another automated grasping device;
moving the grasping devices away from each other while grasping the unerected container sufficient to cause movement of the container sidewalls away from each other;
urging the container bottom upwardly during said movement of the container sidewalls; and
rotating one of said grasping devices to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. An automated method for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom using a first automated grasping device and a second automated grasping device, comprising:
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grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container with the first automated grasping device, and thereafter;
moving the first automated grasping device from a first horizontal location in unopposed relation to the second automated grasping device to a second horizontal location opposing the second automated grasping device;
grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container with the second automated grasping device;
moving the grasping devices away from each other while grasping the unerected container sufficient to cause separation of the container sidewalls; and
rotating one of said grasping devices to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
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25. An automated device for erecting an individual portion unerected French fry container of the type having opposed sidewalls connected by a collapsible container bottom, comprising:
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a first automated grasping device for grasping one of the opposed sidewalls of the unerected container;
a second automated grasping device for grasping the other opposed sidewall of the unerected container;
a movable grasping assembly providing linear lateral relative movement of the first automated grasping device and the second automated grasping device away from each other while each grasping device grasps the unerected container to cause the container sidewalls to move apart from each other; and
wherein one of said automated grasping devices comprises means for rotating to cause said French fry container when grasped by one of said automated grasping devices to move through an arc of about 180°
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Specification