Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.

Abstract: A combined pizza and breadsticks food product, includes a crust/bread made from flour and yeast and defining a pizza crust portion integrally formed with a plurality of bread sticks. The crust/bread has a first score line separating the pizza crust portion from the plurality of bread sticks and a plurality of second score lines disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of bread sticks.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that may include a tray formed from parchment paper. The tray may include a bottom portion and at least one side portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom portion may support a pizza while the pizza is baking. The pizza may be packaged and/or served to a consumer in the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.

Abstract: A product management and sales system for managing product preparation and sales. The system includes a kitchen display and input device displaying a plurality of perishable food items to be produced and receiving a production indication signal indicating production of at least one of the plurality of perishable food items. The system further includes a digital menu board displaying the plurality of perishable food items available for sale, a sales counter terminal for completing a sale of at least one of the plurality of perishable food items and outputting a sold indication signal; and a controller receiving the sold indication signal. The controller compares the sold indication signal to a predetermined inventory level for the at least one perishable food item and outputs an item-to-be-produced signal to the kitchen display and input.

Abstract: A cutter apparatus for cutting a block of food product into smaller blocks. The cutter apparatus includes a support assembly and a plurality of cutting assemblies. The cutting assemblies are pivotally coupled to the support assembly. At least one of the cutting assemblies includes a handle and a cutting member being assembled to the handle. Each of the other cutting assemblies includes a handle and a plurality of cutting members being assembled to the handle.

Abstract: An automatic cheese shredding and blending device, particularly for applying shredded cheese to pizza. The device can simultaneously shred blocks of multiple types of cheeses, and evenly apply a substantially homogenous blend of a chosen ratio of cheeses to a pizza or other food item. The device requires minimal operator interface. A motor creates relative rotational motion between the cheese blocks and one or more of grating elements to shred the cheese. A controller with a user-friendly operator interface is programmable to operate the device according to a desired use. The device includes an integrated refrigeration unit to keep the cheese fresh. Components are easily removable for cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: A package for a hot food item may include an enclosure adapted to receive the hot food item, and a barrier disposed within the enclosure. The barrier may include a moisture impermeable portion covering at least a first portion of the hot food item such that moisture from the first portion is at least partially retained therein. The package is adapted to retain moisture in the first portion of the hot food item, while reducing moisture accumulation in a second portion of the hot food item.

Abstract: A method of preparing pizza includes providing an at least partially baked crust with at least one topping. The crust and at least one topping are wrapped or covered with an impermeable cover and heated to a holding temperature above ambient temperature. The cover is then removed and additional heated and un-heated toppings may be added. The pizza is then baked in an oven to further heat and brown the crust, cheese and toppings of the pizza. With the method, the final bake time can be reduced to preferably less than 60 seconds.

Abstract: A combined pizza and breadsticks food product, includes a crust/bread made from flour and yeast and defining a pizza crust portion integrally formed with a plurality of bread sticks. The crust/bread has a first score line separating the pizza crust portion from the plurality of bread sticks and a plurality of second score lines disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of bread sticks.

Abstract: In the method for forming a dough food product a layer of dough is disposed upon a surface. A filling ingredient is disposed upon a first region of the layer of dough. A second region of the layer of dough is folded over the first region to cover the filling ingredient and form a pocket enclosing the filling ingredient. The pocket has an external folded edge formed by the folded layer of dough and a plurality of unsealed external edges. Seals are formed around the filling ingredient by sealingly joining the first and second regions along the external unsealed edges. The maximum fat content of the filling ingredient is selected in order to substantially eliminate breaking of the seals. The pocket can include a plurality of filling ingredient servings that can be individually sealed to form a plurality of subpockets.

Abstract: A pasta pan and cooking method is provided which is particularly suitable for preparing an entree which includes two or more components, with the pan assembly allowing the components to be cooked simultaneously. For cooking a pasta and sauce dish, pasta can be disposed in an apertured pan, with sauce disposed in a non-apertured pan. Both the pasta pan and the sauce pan are disposed in an outer pan which includes a small portion of water in the bottom thereof. The pans are covered and inserted into an oven for simultaneous cooking of two or more components of an entree, such as pasta and sauce, simultaneously.

Abstract: A dough rounder machine for kneading and forming dough and similar plastic masses into uniformly shaped form in which the dough is placed in an annular die driven by eccentric drive means over a stationary horizontal tray table whereby to move the die in a generally circular orbit over the table. Dough placed in the die is overcovered by a weighted cover which orbits with the die and is gravity actuated to exert vertical force on the dough. Engagement of the dough with the table, orbiting die and cover serves to knead and roll the dough into a substantially spherical mass, the texture and density of which is regulatable by the cover weight and movement of the die over a limited time interval.

Abstract: A table-top apparatus for conveying small loaves of bread beneath a liquid applicator and a dry particle dispenser. As bread is conveyed along an upper conveyor, butter, margarine, or the like is applied by a liquid applicator. The bread then drops to a lower conveyor and is topped with grated cheese and/or seasonings from a dry particle hopper. The conveyors and the liquid applicator are run continuously. An agitator within the dry particle hopper is only run when bread moving along the lower conveyor trips a limit switch.

Abstract: A tray for carrying food is disclosed as being constructed from a paperboard blank (12) having a central panel (14) of a rectangular shape with side portions (16, 17) and end portions (18, 19). A mid portion (20) is located therebetween. After assembly of the tray, side panels (22, 24) and end panels (30, 32) are folded upwardly from the central panel (14) about scoreline connections (26, 28-34, 36). A pair of horizontally extending roof panels (38, 40) overlie the central panel (14) in a horizontally spaced relationship to economize on the amount of paperboard needed for assembly of the tray and allow moisture to escape from the food. To provide rigidity to the tray and stability to a stack of multiple trays while preventing contact between food and the next highest tray in a stack, a retainer (46) extends upwardly from each corner of the central panel (14). Each retainer (46) comprises a pair of vertically spaced corners (48, 50).

Abstract: A carryout food tray (10) is disclosed as being constructed from a paperboard blank (12) having a central panel (16) of a rectangular shape, a pair of side panels (18) and a pair of end panels (22). Upon construction of the tray, the side panels (18) and the end panels (22) are folded upwardly from the central panel 16 and are secured to each other by tabs (28) and slots (32). The tray prevents contact between carryout food and a bag that receives the tray and also permits food to be served after the tray is removed from the bag without the possibility of the food slipping off the tray upon inclination as it is handled.