Abstract: A method for cleaning a cooking range exhaust system includes, in response to receipt of a start signal at a control box of a cooking range exhaust cleaning system to initiate a cleaning operation, causing a cleaning solution comprising a mixture of detergent and water having a ratio based on a target mixing ratio to be provided to a supply line, and causing an electronically-controlled valve to open to facilitate provision of the cleaning solution to a nozzle coupled to the electronically-controlled valve via a conduit for a predetermined period of time, wherein the nozzle is arranged to spray a zone of the cooking range exhaust system.

Abstract: A filter pad with a dry loft between approximately 0.15 and 0.5 inches includes at least a first fiber web comprising a plurality of oleophilic fibers, wherein the oleophilic fibers: have a linear density between approximately 2 and 9 denier; have a length between approximately 1 and 4 inches; and have been uploaded with flame resistant particles.

Abstract: An ordering app running on a mobile device, one or more central servers, one or more venue servers, one or more ordering apps, plug-ins, kiosks, point of sale systems, beacons, pucks, tents, and automated appliances cooperate to prepare orders for a customer. Methods embodied as software programs running on the venue servers and the central servers advance the customer's order through various modules hosted on the venue server. A final module causes the customer's order to be prepared.

Abstract: A device for cooking food on a grill has opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is automatically adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the food. The food is caused to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable. A controller and drive mechanism adjust the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.

Abstract: An ordering app running on a mobile device, one or more central servers, one or more venue servers, one or more ordering apps, plug-ins, kiosks, point of sale systems, beacons, pucks, tents, and automated appliances cooperate to prepare orders for a customer. Methods embodied as software programs running on the venue servers and the central servers advance the customer's order through various modules hosted on the venue server. A final module causes the customer's order to be prepared.

Abstract: A system for enabling the remote ordering of products, primarily for use in a multi-vendor system, is disclosed. Orders are placed remotely, such as through wireless devices connected to a central server. The central server, in turn, is in communication (wireless or otherwise) with a server located at one or more venues within the organization operating the system. The one or more venues provide products or services available for ordering through the system. Where multiple venues are involved, the system is designed to handle differences in the product or service availability at those different venues, and provides for an ability to make corrections to orders that may be or may become necessary on account of those differences. The system provides for multiple options through which users can pay for and receive orders, and also provides methods for synchronizing the remote ordering system with pre-existing, conventional methods of ordering and product/service order fulfillment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cooking food on a grill having opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is automatically adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the food. The food is caused to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable. A controller and drive mechanism adjust the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cooking food on a grill having opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is automatically adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the food. The food is caused to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable. A controller and drive mechanism adjust the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.

Abstract: A fryer pot for a deep fryer having a pair of opposed sidewalls, a pair of opposed end walls and a bottom wall. Each of the pair of opposed sidewalls has three successive vertical portions. Wherein each of the three successive vertical portions of each of the pair of opposed sidewalls is inboard of a preceding vertical portion to thereby taper the fryer pot towards the bottom wall. A fryer pot for a deep fryer having a pair of opposed endwalls and a pair of opposed sidewalls and a bottom wall. Each of the pair of opposed endwalls has a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion that are each connected by an angled offset portion to decrease a volume of the fryer pot.

Abstract: A cooking device is provided for steaming food items and transferring steamed food items from the device to a work surface. The device includes a platform for placing food items thereon mounted to a support for movement to and from food steaming and food removal positions. The food items can be transferred from the device without being individually handled by an operator. A method of steaming food items is provided using the cooking device. The food items do not need to be individually handled after they are steamed. A method of transferring steamed food items from the cooking device to a container or a work surface is also provided. The steamed food items are transferred without individual handling.

Abstract: Two-sided grills are provided having a positively controlled vertical gap between two opposed cooking surfaces, means for detecting initial contact of an upper cooking surface on a food item placed on a lower cooking surface, means for measuring the gap between the cooking surfaces at the initial contact position to determine a thickness of the food item and a food-item type, and a control system for automatically initiating a pre-programmed cooking routine based on the food-item type. The cooking routine includes varying the gap dimension between the platens while cooking the food item, the range or sequence of gap dimension variation being based on either the measured thickness of the food item or a nominal thickness associated with the identified food item type. In other aspect, grills according to the invention may include a lower platen mounted for vertical movement and an upper platen mounted only for pivoting.

Abstract: A food tray and tray insert are provided that are particularly adapted for use in a heated food holding compartment. Methods of storing cooked food are also provided using such devices. The devices and use thereof allows cooked food such as hamburger patties to be stored at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time without a significant deleterious effect on the organoleptic properties of the cooked food.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a device and method for steaming and toasting food items is provided. The device is particularly suited for steaming and toasting hamburger sandwich bun heels and crowns. The device in accordance with the invention may include a steam outlet for steaming food items by impinging steam onto the food item. A conveyor moves the food item along a toasting pathway in which the food item is toasted by a heated platen extending along at least a portion of the toasting pathway.

Abstract: An improved food storage device for holding food items in a controlled environment, typically heated, is disclosed. The device can hold different foods under different conditions for different amounts of time. Among the improvements is an intuitive programming interface. The device may be programmed by selecting different options displayed on different displays associated with different specific food storage positions by pressing a button associated with the display displaying the option. The device may have synchronized displays allowing users to more quickly assimilate displayed information.

Abstract: A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located at one end of the tray body and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the tray is inserted in the compartment in the predetermined position, the fixed movable stop member is in the extended position and restrains further insertion of the tray into the compartment. A method of making a food tray in accordance with the invention is provided. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a pass-through compartment.

Abstract: A food tray device for maintaining food warm or cold is disclosed. The food tray device has a support and a disposable tray portion or container. The container generally does not need to be sturdy enough to reliably carry food without the support. Optionally the support and container may have holes for limited venting of the tray interior while maintaining the moisture content of the food.

Abstract: A food holding device includes a holding bin and an optional heating component. The holding bin has a specified average surface roughness Ra on at least a portion of the surface intended to be contacted with food during storage of the food.

Abstract: An device and method are provided for steam injection heating to melt a cheese component of a food item of a food product. The device includes a housing for a steam generator and a steaming chamber. Generated steam is injected into the steaming chamber to melt the cheese component of the food item held in a container inserted into the steaming chamber. The device is configured to rest on a counter so that the counter provides an interior support surface in the steaming chamber. The counter also provides an exterior support surface for the container and a work surface. The container is inserted into the steaming chamber by sliding it on the exterior surface and is received and supported by the interior support surface. A food product having a melted cheese component is assembled, produced and packaged while the container is supported in the single plane of the counter.

Abstract: A commercial cooking apparatus is provided for simultaneous steaming and two-sided grilling of food items having non-uniform thickness and/or variations in nominal thickness. The apparatus includes a compressible, heat-resistant ring member, and optionally a flexible, non-stick, heat-resistant film material associated with the ring member to form a cavity defined by the inner perimeter of the ring member. A cooking method is also disclosed, wherein a food item and a quantity of water are introduced into the cavity, and the food item is simultaneously cooked by the heated upper and lower platens of a conventional clamshell grill or similar apparatus and by steam generated by heating the water.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.