Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an apparatus for filling a central open space in a jar. The apparatus includes a base, an indexing station including a magazine, a blade, and a first actuator, a filling station including cartridges, and a second actuator. The magazine is rotatably mounted to the base. The platform of the cutting station is configured to receive a whole cucumber at a loading area and is incrementally indexed to reposition the whole cucumber from the loading area to a cutting area above the blade. The first actuator is configured to urge the whole cucumber through the blade and cut the whole cucumber into spears. The spears drop into and are held by one of the cartridges. The second actuator is configure to push at least one of the spears out from the cartridge into the central open space of the jar.

Abstract: An automated sandwich wrapping system is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an automated sandwich wrapping system includes a folding subassembly having a plurality of folding plates to inwardly fold side portions of sandwich wrapping paper extending past ends of a sandwich, a roller subassembly having at least one roller to rotate the sandwich to wrap the sandwich, and a controller preprogrammed to control and coordinate operation of the folding subassembly and the roller subassembly. The folding plates move between an idle position and an active position.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an apparatus for filling a central open space in a jar. The apparatus includes a base, an indexing station including a magazine, a blade, and a first actuator, a filling station including cartridges, and a second actuator. The magazine is rotatably mounted to the base. The platform of the cutting station is configured to receive a whole cucumber at a loading area and is incrementally indexed to reposition the whole cucumber from the loading area to a cutting area above the blade. The first actuator is configured to urge the whole cucumber through the blade and cut the whole cucumber into spears. The spears drop into and are held by one of the cartridges. The second actuator is configure to push at least one of the spears out from the cartridge into the central open space of the jar.

Abstract: A folding platform includes a base, first folding flap, lift arm, and lift arm linkage. The first folding flap is rotatably connected with the base and facilitates the folding of a food item placed on the folding platform. The lift arm linkage is rotatably connected with the base and the lift arm to operatively lift the lift arm and allow the lift arm to rotate in a first rotational direction, and includes a spring that engages the lift arm linkage and the lift arm, and biases the lift arm in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The lift arm is capable of rotating a first rotational distance, and rotating a second rotational distance greater than the first rotational distance without bending or breaking when the lift arm contacts an obstruction. The lift arm automatically returns to its normal position due to the bias force of the spring.

Abstract: A folding platform includes a base, first folding flap, lift arm, and lift arm linkage. The first folding flap is rotatably connected with the base and facilitates the folding of a food item placed on the folding platform. The lift arm linkage is rotatably connected with the base and the lift arm to operatively lift the lift arm and allow the lift arm to rotate in a first rotational direction, and includes a spring that engages the lift arm linkage and the lift arm, and biases the lift arm in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The lift arm is capable of rotating a first rotational distance, and rotating a second rotational distance greater than the first rotational distance without bending or breaking when the lift arm contacts an obstruction. The lift arm automatically returns to its normal position due to the bias force of the spring.

Abstract: A folding platform includes a base, first folding flap, lift arm, and lift arm linkage. The first folding flap is rotatably connected with the base and facilitates the folding of a food item placed on the folding platform. The lift arm linkage is rotatably connected with the base and the lift arm to operatively lift the lift arm and allow the lift arm to rotate in a first rotational direction, and includes a spring that engages the lift arm linkage and the lift arm, and biases the lift arm in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The lift arm is capable of rotating a first rotational distance, and rotating a second rotational distance greater than the first rotational distance without bending or breaking when the lift arm contacts an obstruction. The lift arm automatically returns to its normal position due to the bias force of the spring.

Abstract: An automated sandwich wrapping system is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an automated sandwich wrapping system includes a folding subassembly having a plurality of folding plates to inwardly fold side portions of sandwich wrapping paper extending past ends of a sandwich, a roller subassembly having at least one roller to rotate the sandwich to wrap the sandwich, and a controller preprogrammed to control and coordinate operation of the folding subassembly and the roller subassembly. The folding plates move between an idle position and an active position.

Abstract: A folding platform includes a base, first folding flap, lift arm, and lift arm linkage. The first folding flap is rotatably connected with the base and facilitates the folding of a food item placed on the folding platform. The lift arm linkage is rotatably connected with the base and the lift arm to operatively lift the lift arm and allow the lift arm to rotate in a first rotational direction, and includes a spring that engages the lift arm linkage and the lift arm, and biases the lift arm in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The lift arm is capable of rotating a first rotational distance, and rotating a second rotational distance greater than the first rotational distance without bending or breaking when the lift arm contacts an obstruction. The lift arm automatically returns to its normal position due to the bias force of the spring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dough feeding system and methods corresponding thereto. In some embodiments, the dough feeding system includes a cutting subsystem, an alignment subsystem, a belt assembly, a conveyor, and/or combinations thereof. The alignment system can be provided with a movable platform for aligning a dough ribbon into the cutting subsystem. The cutting subsystem can be provided with a frame securable to the belt assembly, a drive roller for feeding dough, and a knife blade for cutting the dough. The belt assembly can include a flat-belt, and the conveyor can include a dough folding platform with rough edges. Electronic controller(s) are provided for (i) synchronizing the drive roller with the knife blade, (ii) synchronizing the drive roller with a position of the dough folding platform, and/or (iii) adjusting the movable platform to compensate for drift of the dough ribbon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a destacking device for dispensing planar food products, such as tortillas, from a stack bottom. In some embodiments of the invention, the device includes a frame and a carriage assembly configured for linear reciprocation with respect to the frame. The carriage assembly has a drum that rotates in response to linear reciprocation of the carriage assembly, and a suction lip is positioned proximal a wall of the drum. A stack of tortillas can be disposed on the suction lip, and a negative pressure is applied to close the suction lip and “suck” a bottommost tortilla against the lip. A movable arm has a leading edge for cooperating with the suction lip to separate the bottommost tortilla from a next bottommost tortilla. The drum rotates the suction lip and tortilla, and the vacuum is released to allow the tortilla to fall downwardly onto an endless belt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a destacking device for dispensing planar food products, such as tortillas, from a stack bottom. In some embodiments of the invention, the device includes a frame and a carriage assembly configured for linear reciprocation with respect to the frame. The carriage assembly has a drum that rotates in response to linear reciprocation of the carriage assembly, and a suction lip is positioned proximal a wall of the drum. A stack of tortillas can be disposed on the suction lip, and a negative pressure is applied to close the suction lip and “suck” a bottommost tortilla against the lip. A movable arm has a leading edge for cooperating with the suction lip to separate the bottommost tortilla from a next bottommost tortilla. The drum rotates the suction lip and tortilla, and the vacuum is released to allow the tortilla to fall downwardly onto an endless belt.

Abstract: An improved platform for use with a conveyor system used in the automated formation of folded food products such as burritos, taquitos and the like. The platform includes a substantially planar base and an articulated flap having pivotally connected upper and lower members. The articulated flap rotates with respect to the base to fold the shell of the food product once. The upper member of the articulated flap rotates with respect to the lower member to create a pinch-like subsequent fold in the previously folded shell, which secures the filling within the initial enclosure. The platform may also include additional, rigid flaps for making additional folds after the upper member makes the pinch-like fold. Once the final fold is made, the partially-folded food product may be securely transferred to the mechanism for finalizing the folding and production thereof.