Abstract: A fully automated robotized system and method is provided for cooking food products. The system and method is especially useful for use in a quick service or fast food restaurant and, in one embodiment, is capable of cooking, on a fully automated basis, french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot, a bulk uncooked food dispensing station, a cooking station and a cooked food storage station. The system can be controlled by a computer operating and control station that controls and directs the robot to obtain bulk food from the dispensing station, place it in cooking position at the cooking station and when cooked, remove the food and deliver it to the storage station, at a rate required to fill anticipated customer orders. In one embodiment, the cooking station is a clamshell grill and the robot deposits on and retrieves from the grill hamburger patties in a predetermined horizontal array with a novel end of arm tool.

Abstract: An article of play apparatus is provided having an open-ended, hollow rotatable member which is maintained in an elevated, horizontal orientation by two support members located one at each longitudinal end of the rotatable member. A plurality of padded ridges extend along the longitudinal extent of the rotatable member. In this manner, children can climb through the rotatable member while other children climb over it, causing the rotatable member to rotate. A novel bearing system is housed inside each support member.

Abstract: A fully automated robotized system and method is provided for cooking food products. The system and method is especially useful for use in a quick service or fast food restaurant and, in one embodiment, is capable of cooking, on a fully automated basis, french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot, a bulk uncooked food dispensing station, a cooking station and a cooked food storage station. The system can be controlled by a computer operating and control station that controls and directs the robot to obtain bulk food from the dispensing station, place it in cooking position at the cooking station and when cooked, remove the food and deliver it to the storage station, at a rate required to fill anticipated customer orders.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for dispensing food items from bulk item containers is disclosed in which the dispenser can open and empty a bulk container and dispense a portion of its contents. In one embodiment, a container can be slit open and tipped on a pivotable platform to spill its contents to a feeder for further distribution while retaining a stack of unopened boxes thereabove. In some embodiments, the dispenser can discard an emptied container and replace it with an unopened container moved from a container hopper. In other embodiments, a vibrating feeder is used to shake emptied items into a transfer tray for weighing and dispensing. Additionally, a method for dispensing portions of bulk food items from bulk containers is disclosed which employs several of the steps mentioned above.

Abstract: A process for cooking, in a cooking fluid, food products which lose a portion of their moisture content as vapor during the cooking cycle is provided. The food products are spaced and oriented so that during cooking, water vapor is expelled from the food products into the vertical convection channels formed by the spacing and orienting of the food products. The expelled buoyant water vapor augments the upward vertical convection of the cooking fluid through the vertical convection channels, thereby improving heat transfer from the cooking fluid to the food products. As a result, cooking time and fat uptake is reduced and a more uniform product quality is provided.

Abstract: A beverage and ice bodies dispensing apparatus is described in which vertically-oriented chutes through which ice bodies are dispensed are associated with spouts. Gates within the chutes are used to dispense predetermined quantities of ice bodies into the cup to be filled. A storage cabinet for ice is located above and connected to the chute for refilling the chutes with ice bodies. In accordance with one embodiment, the force of the falling ice is utilized to maintain the proper position of, and/or position the cup to be filled.

Abstract: A carton for a single layer of tomatoes or the like is formed of single thickness corrugated fiberboard which is doubled over at fold lines along opposing walls is provided. The fold lines lie in differing planes so that each of two opposing walls have relatively long recesses at the upper portions thereof with a doubled thickness of fiberboard below such recesses. The other opposing walls include a double thickness along substantially the entire length of the wall. Corner members extend across the top corners of the carton to strengthen the carton as well as to facilitate stacking of cartons. Optional upstanding tabs facilitate stacking. The recesses promote airflow over tomatoes or the like held in the carton.

Abstract: A compartmented container that is especially suitable for containing food is provided. The container or package in one embodiment comprises a first or bottom compartment and a second or top compartment that is hinged to the first compartment. The container further includes a latch mechanism composed of a locking latch extending from one compartment and a locking aperture in the other compartment into which the latch can be inserted when the container is in the closed position. A removable platform forms part of the container and is positionable over the open portion of one of the compartments. The platform includes a support tab dimensioned to allow insertion into the locking aperture when the platform is positioned over the open portion of one of the compartments. An elongated slot extends adjacent the hinge to permit the platform to be removed from the container through the slot.

Abstract: A packing machine for tomatoes or the like has a rear portion with a low backline pressure conveyor arranged into plural lanes divided by tapered walls. The rear portion of the machine is reciprocated sideways so that bulk tomatoes entering the rear of the machine are distributed among the several lanes. Tomatoes are transported to a station where a paddle wheel with flexible arms prevents the forward progress of tomatoes until sensing apparatus determines that a plurality of lane positions are filled by tomatoes. Then a row of tomatoes are discharged through a front chute into a single layer carton. An escrow lane has entry and exit control devices which are responsive to a manually operated switch to add further tomatoes to the carton. The carton is at an incline and reciprocates back-and-forth so that tomatoes nest in a single layer, and are packed more densely thereby. The machine can pack by weight or by count.

Abstract: A basket of cooked food products is mounted on a support structure. The support structure is rigidly mounted to a rotatable shaft. The shaft is rotated through a predetermined angle so that the basket is tilted. The contents of the basket is then dumped out of the basket. The basket may be held by a first and second clamps which hold the basket at opposite ends.

Abstract: A condiment dispenser is provided having a length of resilient elastic tubing with an upper tube section and a lower tube section. An arm is pivotally mounted adjacent the tubing and moveable through dispensing and return strokes. The arm has an upper arm portion adjacent the upper tube section and a lower arm portion adjacent the lower tube section. During the dispensing stroke, the upper arm portion moves to compress the upper tube section against a wall on the opposite side of the tubing while the lower arm position retracts from the lower tube section to cause the condiment to be dispensed. The return stroke is caused by the return of the compressed upper tube section to a less compressed section, causing the lower arm section to compress and close the tubing at the lower tube section against the wall.

Abstract: A compartmented container and method of packaging is provided.The container in one embodiment has first and second compartments and a removable insert to separate the two compartments. In the closed position, the second compartment is on top of the first compartment. The insert is removable when the container is closed and includes a support tab that is insertable into a slot in the container to restrain movement of the insert and to distribute forces through the sidewalls of the container.

Abstract: A beverage and ice bodies dispensing apparatus is described in which vertically-oriented chutes throuch which ice bodies are dispensed are associated with spouts. Gates within the chutes are used to dispense predetermined quantities of ice bodies into the cup to be filled. A storage cabinet for ice is located above and connected to the chute for refilling the chutes with ice bodies. In accordance with one embodiment, the force of the falling ice is utilized to maintain the proper position off, and/or position the cup to be filled.

Abstract: A fully automated robotized system and method is provided for cooking food products. The system and method is especially useful for use in a quick service or fast food restaurant and, in one embodiment, is capable of cooking, on a fully automated basis, french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot, a bulk uncooked food dispensing station, a cooking station and a cooked food storage station. The system can be controlled by a computer operating and control station that controls and directs the robot to obtain bulk food from the dispensing station, place it in cooking position at the cooking station and when cooked, remove the food and deliver it to the storage station, at a rate required to fill anticipated customer orders.

Abstract: A portable floor scrubbing machine, which preferably is battery-powered, may operate in two distinct modes: either as a walk-behind floor scrubber or as a manually-operated, scrub-and-recover system using a floor wand having a cleaning solution dispenser and convertible brush/squeegee at the working end of the wand for use in locations with difficult access.

Abstract: A pizza container has a cover and base configured to form a cavity when they are closed. The floor of the base has a plurality of dimples to support a pizza and to allow random air flow. A wall and finger guides are provided to facilitate lifting the pizza from the container. Side and rear vents are provided to the container for facilitating the exchange of air from the interior and the exterior of the container. A plurality of containers are vertically stackable, one on top of another.

Abstract: An apparatus especially suitable for cooking, in a cooking fluid, food products which lose a portion of their moisture content as vapor during the cooking cycle is provided. The apparatus is configured to allow food products to be spaced and oriented in the apparatus so that during cooking water vapor is expelled from the food products into the vertical convection channels formed by the spacing and orienting of the food products. The expelled buoyant water vapor augments the upward vertical convection of the cooking fluid through the vertical convection channels, thereby improving heat transfer from the cooking fluid to the food products. As a result, cooking time and fat uptake is reduced and a more uniform product quality is provided.