Abstract: A grill having a platen with a plurality of heating zones. Each heating zone has a heating unit. Thermal transfer between adjacent heat zones is limited by air gaps and insulation. The heater unit of each zone has a heater that is disposed to attain substantially uniform temperature of the platen for that zone before a temperature sensor senses a set temperature during either pre-heat or recovery modes.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.

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.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.

Abstract: A combination toaster/caramelizer oven for treating food products comprising: a housing; at least one heating element; a removable platen; and at least one conveyor disposed opposite the platen for conveying the food products through the housing, wherein the platen is disposed between the heating element and the conveyor. Optionally, the caramelizer oven can further include at least one moisture injector that introduces moisture to the surface of the food product which is in contact with the platen.

Abstract: A conveyor oven in which a heated circulating air stream provides impingement air toward a conveyor, which is turned to flow horizontally along the conveyor toward an inlet and/or an outlet thereof. The conveyor oven includes a ductwork that provides a positive pressure airflow to form the impingement air as well as a positive pressure a second air flow that intersects with the horizontal air flow with a more positive pressure adjacent the inlet and/or outlet to redirect the horizontal airflow toward an air return plenum so as to substantially reduce the escape of heat to ambient.

Abstract: An automated food processing system is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a container, for example, an individual portion-sized container. The system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging food. 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, for example, an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held in position for filling by an automated container handling system. After a food container is filled, a conveyor system transports the container to a pick-up location.

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.

Abstract: A grill having a platen with a plurality of heating zones. Each heating zone has a heating unit. Thermal transfer between adjacent heat zones is limited by air gaps and insulation. The heater unit of each zone has a heater that is disposed to attain substantially uniform temperature of the platen for that zone before a temperature sensor senses a set temperature during either pre-heat or recovery modes.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A toaster oven has a double wall housing with an air space between the double walls. The inner one of the double walls has a plurality of openings therein arranged above and below heating elements inside the oven. Inside the oven, an air divertor having a pair of spaced parallel walls is positioned adjacent each opening. One of the spaced plates has perforations so that an air stream in the air space between the double walls is driven through the openings, the space between the parallel plates, and out the perforations. A food product is located to receive the air emerging from the perforations. The individual perforations have a funnel shape in order to concentrate the emerging air and better paint the surface of the food product.

Abstract: A plurality of small, low cost conveyor toaster/ovens can be stacked with substantially no physical spacing required between the units. In part the stackability results from a blower/fan that drives cooling air through a common plenum surrounding the conveyor. The cooling air is sucked into one side of the unit and then divided between the lower motor compartment and the upper air plenum flowing over the top and bottom of the oven. The air is then recombined to cool the rear compartment and exits the unit via several vents in the back and opposite side of the oven. A control panel enables the user to pre-select different menu schedules which can be modified, as required. Each selection is identified by a single digit on a key pad in the control panel. The actual temperature within the toaster/oven is sensed by a thermocouple in contact with the heater element sheath. The control converts the stored data via a mathematical function and in response to temperatures sensed on the heater.

Abstract: A guard basket for protecting people working near an industrial food mixer for preventing them from placing their hands in the way of a mixing tool. The guard basket is made of massive stainless steel bars which are welded together. On each side of the guard basket, the steel bars rise to a level which form handles for providing a way of sliding the basket either into an operating position or removing the basket. A pin is mounted on the mixer adjacent each of the handles. Latches on the handles receive the pins so that the guard basket may swing down to a safety or guard position or up to give access to the bowl. A sensor prevents the mixer from operating when the guard basket is away from the safety or guard position. Another safety circuit requires the bowl and guard to be in a proper position for continuous operation, while allowing the user to jog the bowl into position.

Abstract: A multi-zone restaurant type of griddle is modularly constructed so that all maintenance may be done at the front of the griddle housing. The griddle plate is only three-eights of an inch thick with heat being spread uniformly by an aluminum plate in intimate contact with the bottom of the griddle plate. A thermocouple temperature sensing element is located at the bottom of a hole in the underside of the griddle plate so that the element is very near the cooking surface and is sensitive to the temperature of the load on the cooking surface, as distinguished from being sensitive to the temperature of the heating element below the griddle plate. With the modular construction, the front access, and light weight, all of the repairable parts of the griddle may be removed and replaced by one man as distinguished from most prior art griddles where two-man service teams were routinely required because they had to lift and invert a very heavy griddle which had a very thick steel griddle plate.