Automated food processing system and method
First Claim
1. An automated method of frying food in a fry vat having heated cooking oil contained therein and discharging the fried food into a holding bin comprising:
- depositing a quantity of food to be fried into one compartment of a circular fry wheel having at least a generally circular perimeter and a plurality of compartments each 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 fixedly disposed above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat, the fry wheel being configured so that during operation of the fry wheel, including during frying and discharge of the food, when one compartment is in a position above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat to discharge the quantity of food contained therein, another compartment is entirely below the normal operating level of the oil in the fry vat to cook the food therein;
incrementally rotating the fry wheel so that the compartment having food therein travels through the heated cooking oil over a period of time to cause the food to be fried;
incrementally rotating the fry wheel so that a compartment having fried food therein is at a position above the level of the cooking oil to cause the fried food to be discharged from the compartment; and
directing the fried food that is discharged from the compartment into a holding bin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow 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 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. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.
243 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated method of frying food in a fry vat having heated cooking oil contained therein and discharging the fried food into a holding bin comprising:
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depositing a quantity of food to be fried into one compartment of a circular fry wheel having at least a generally circular perimeter and a plurality of compartments each 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 fixedly disposed above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat, the fry wheel being configured so that during operation of the fry wheel, including during frying and discharge of the food, when one compartment is in a position above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat to discharge the quantity of food contained therein, another compartment is entirely below the normal operating level of the oil in the fry vat to cook the food therein; incrementally rotating the fry wheel so that the compartment having food therein travels through the heated cooking oil over a period of time to cause the food to be fried; incrementally rotating the fry wheel so that a compartment having fried food therein is at a position above the level of the cooking oil to cause the fried food to be discharged from the compartment; and directing the fried food that is discharged from the compartment into a holding bin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automated method of frying food in a fry vat having heated cooking oil contained therein and discharging the fried food into a holding bin comprising:
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providing a frying device comprising a fry vat for containing a heated cooking oil; providing a generally circular fry wheel mounted for rotational movement relative to the radial axis of the fry wheel, which radial axis is fixedly disposed above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat, the fry wheel having a plurality of compartments each having an opening towards the periphery of the fry wheel, the fry wheel being configured so that during operation of the frying device, including during cooking and discharge of the fried food therefrom, when one compartment is in a position above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat to dispense the quantity of food contained therein, another compartment is entirely below the normal operating level of the oil in the fry vat to cook the food therein; providing a drive mechanism for rotating the fry wheel relative to the radial axis; providing a holding bin; depositing a quantity of food to be fried through the opening of one of the compartments of a circular fry wheel; incrementally rotating the fry wheel so that the compartment having food therein travels through the heated cooking oil over a period of time to cause the food to be fried; incrementally rotating the fry wheel so that the compartment having fried food therein is at a position above the level of the cooking oil to cause the fried food to be discharged through the opening of the compartment; and directing the fried food that is discharged from the compartment into a holding bin. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automated method of frying food in a fry vat having heated cooking oil contained therein and discharging the fried food into a holding bin comprising:
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providing a frying device comprising a fry vat for containing a heated cooking oil; providing a plurality of generally circular fry wheels mounted for rotational movement relative to the radial axis of the fry wheels, which radial axis is fixedly disposed above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat, the fry wheels each having a plurality of compartments each having an opening towards the periphery of the fry wheel, the fry wheels being configured so that during operation of the frying device, including during cooking and discharge of the fried food therefrom, when one compartment is in a position above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat to dispense the quantity of food contained therein, another compartment is entirely below the normal operating level of the oil in the fry vat to cook the food therein; providing a drive mechanism for incrementally rotating the fry wheels relative to the radial axis; providing a holding bin; independently depositing a quantity of food to be fried through the opening of one of the compartments of each of the circular fry wheels; incrementally rotating each of the fry wheels so that the compartment having food therein travels through the heated cooking oil over a period of time to cause the food to be fried; incrementally rotating each of the fry wheels so that a compartment having fried food therein is at a position above the level of the cooking oil to cause the fried food to be discharged through the opening of the compartment; and directing the fried food that is discharged from the compartment of each of the fry wheels into a holding bin. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification