Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

Abstract: A stirrer assembly (2), finding particular utility for use with an automatic cooking machine, includes a drive assembly (4) having first and second drivers and a drive housing (16). A dual axis spatula (6) is mounted to the drive housing for intermittent or intermittent and reversing rotation about a first, generally horizontal axis (8). The reversing motion helps to release jams. The drive housing is coupled to and driven by the second driver so the drive housing and the spatula therewith rotate about a second, generally vertical axis (10). The spatula thus has both a sweeping and a turning or flipping action. An obstruction element (12) can be positioned beneath the spatula to operate in conjunction with the spatula to aid proper manipulation of the food within the cooking container.

Abstract: A food flipping assembly (4), used to automatically flip food 180.degree. while cooking, includes a frame (16) having cam-carrying U-shaped arms (24, 25), and a pair of movable support plates (38) slidably mounted to the U-shaped arms for movement between first and second elevations. A food carrier (20) is pivotally mounted to the support plates for movement about a horizontal axis (22). A food carrier rotator (58) is mounted to the food carrier and has drive elements (60, 63) which engage cam surfaces (64, 66) carried by the arms. Movement of the food carrier from the first elevation to an intermediate elevation does not cause the food carrier to rotate; movement from the intermediate elevation to the second elevation causes the drive elements to engage the cam surfaces thus rotating the food carrier about 135.degree.. Lowering of the food carrier back onto the cooking surface causes the food carrier to complete its 180.degree. rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring cooking ingredients in a vessel or for automatically turning a food item such as a steak or roast provides a stirring or turning action having horizontal and vertical rotation. In one embodiment the horizontal and vertical rotation have a pre-determined time relation to one another such that a spatula portion of the stirring apparatus flips over the ingredients a predetermined number of times as the spatula rotates once horizontally about the vessel. The horizontal rotation action is also used for automatic turning. The turning apparatus includes a rigid bar rotatable with the horizontal axis and a supporting structure such as a wire cage or food-piercing tine structure for supporting the food during turning. The rigid bar and food-supporting structure are connected by flexible links such as steel fiber. The rotating bar drags the food item over or about the rotation axis to effect the turning action. The apparatus is especially suited for use in an automatic cooking system.

Abstract: A dispenser for liquids or granular materials suitable for use in an automatic cooking apparatus. Liquid ingredients are held in a container with a dispensing orifice in the bottom. The orifice is sealed by a valve at the underside of the container, which is mounted on an actuator member pivotally mounted to the underside of the container.The actuator member holds the valve seal over the orifice. The cooking apparatus rotates the container into position for dispensing, and as it approaches the dispensing position, a camming pin engages the actuator member causing it to rotate the valve seal away from the orifice. As a result, the contents of the container are dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring cooking ingredients in a vessel provides a stirring action having horizontal and vertical rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal and vertical rotation have a predetermined time relation to one another such that the spatula portion of the stirring apparatus flips over the ingredients a predetermined number of times as the spatula rotates once horizontally about the vessel. The apparatus may be attached to the lid of the vessel with which it is used, and the vertical axis of the apparatus may be located at the center of the cooking vessel. The apparatus is especially suited for use in an automatic cooking system.

Abstract: A Geneva drive mechanism for intermittently and selectively rotating one or more drive shafts through indexed positions. A conventional Geneva mechanism is modified to include a drive movable between a non-driving and driving position. When the driver is in its non-driving position, a plurality of Geneva wheels is secured against rotation. When the driver is moved to its driving position, it engages a selected Geneva wheel and rotates the wheel through one indexed position. Meanwhile, any other Geneva wheels remain secured against rotation. A compact gear mechanism is disclosed for coupling the Geneva mechanism and drive motor to a pair of coaxially mounted shafts.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled, integrated cooking apparatus for automatically preparing culinary dishes. The constituent ingredients of a particular dish are loaded into a compartmentalized carousel, which is mounted on the cooking apparatus. The apparatus includes a memory for storing one or more recipe programs. The recipe program specifies schedules for dispensing the ingredients from the carousel into a cooking vessel, for heating the vessel (either covered or uncovered), and for stirring the contents of the vessel. These operations are performed automatically under control of the microcomputer.