Abstract: A tray apparatus includes an elongated platform and a tray mechanism. The tray mechanism includes a plate disposed onto the platform and an arm assembly coupled to the plate and including a post and an arm. The post is coupled to the plate and extends upwardly therefrom. The arm is rotatably coupled to the post between a first position and a second position. The plate receives a box containing foodstuffs from a conveyance apparatus. The plate moves in a first direction when moving from a first state toward a second state. The arm is configured to contact the box and rotate from the first position toward the second position when the plate is moving in the first direction. The arm is configured to contact and move the box in a second direction opposite the first along the platform when the plate moves from the second state toward the first state.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a single container for containing foodstuffs includes a housing, a lift subassembly, and a transfer subassembly. The housing at least partially defines an inner area. The lift subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The lift subassembly includes a nest configured to support a plurality of containers disposed in a stack and translate with respect to the housing in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The transfer subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The transfer subassembly includes a end effector. The end effector is configured to operatively engage a first container of the plurality of containers to remove the first container from the stack and move the first container outside of the inner area.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a single box for containing foodstuffs includes a housing, a lift subassembly, and a transfer subassembly. The housing at least partially defines an inner area. The lift subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The lift subassembly includes a nest configured to support a plurality of boxes disposed in a stack and translate with respect to the housing in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The transfer subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The transfer subassembly includes a vacuum suction cup. The vacuum suction cup is configured to operatively engage a first box of the plurality of boxes to remove the first box from the stack and pivot the first box about a rotational axis to a surface outside of the inner area.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a single box for containing foodstuffs includes a housing, a lift subassembly, and a transfer subassembly. The housing at least partially defines an inner area. The lift subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The lift subassembly includes a nest configured to support a plurality of boxes disposed in a stack and translate with respect to the housing in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The transfer subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The transfer subassembly includes a vacuum suction cup. The vacuum suction cup is configured to operatively engage a first box of the plurality of boxes to remove the first box from the stack and pivot the first box about a rotational axis to a surface outside of the inner area.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a motor, a gear assembly operatively coupled to the motor, and a paddle assembly including a plurality of paddles operatively coupled to the gear assembly. Each paddle extends longitudinally between opposing housing walls. Each paddle includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of gaps that are alternatingly disposed along a shaft that extends through a center of each blade. A first portion of paddles includes a first portion of blades and a first portion of gaps. A second portion of paddles includes a second portion of blades and a second portion of gaps. The first portion of blades can rotate through the second portion of gaps. The second portion of blades can rotate through the first portion of gaps. The paddles can sequentially rotate about the respective paddle axes such that each paddle can be disposed at a different angular position than an adjacent paddle.

Abstract: A tray apparatus includes an elongated platform and a tray mechanism. The tray mechanism includes a plate disposed onto the platform and an arm assembly coupled to the plate and including a post and an arm. The post is coupled to the plate and extends upwardly therefrom. The arm is rotatably coupled to the post between a first position and a second position. The plate receives a box containing foodstuffs from a conveyance apparatus. The plate moves in a first direction when moving from a first state toward a second state. The arm is configured to contact the box and rotate from the first position toward the second position when the plate is moving in the first direction. The arm is configured to contact and move the box in a second direction opposite the first along the platform when the plate moves from the second state toward the first state.

Abstract: A system includes a hopper, a permeable seal, a gas supply, and a receiver. The hopper includes an elongated housing holding a row of food products. The elongated housing defines a pressurized end opposite a discharge end through which the food products are dispensed. The permeable seal is interposed between an interior wall of the hopper and a surface of the piston. The permeable seal cooperates with the hopper and the piston to define a closed volume between the piston and the pressurized end. The permeable seal is configured to bleed gas from the closed volume toward the discharge end. The gas supply selectively supplies gas into the closed volume to displace the piston toward the discharge end. The receiver receives food products dispensed from the elongated housing and is positioned to allow the food products to move along at least partially by gravity.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a motor, a gear assembly operatively coupled to the motor, and a paddle assembly including a plurality of paddles operatively coupled to the gear assembly. Each paddle extends longitudinally between opposing housing walls. Each paddle includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of gaps that are alternatingly disposed along a shaft that extends through a center of each blade. A first portion of paddles includes a first portion of blades and a first portion of gaps. A second portion of paddles includes a second portion of blades and a second portion of gaps. The first portion of blades can rotate through the second portion of gaps. The second portion of blades can rotate through the first portion of gaps. The paddles can sequentially rotate about the respective paddle axes such that each paddle can be disposed at a different angular position than an adjacent paddle.

Abstract: One variation of a system for buttering and toasting bread buns includes: a butter stage including: a vessel containing liquefied dairy fat and defining a permeable surface, a pressure supply fluidly coupled to the vessel, and a first paddle assembly configured to catch a bun crown dispensed into the butter stage, to compress a sliced face of the bun crown directly against the permeable surface, and to release the bun crown from the butter stage; and a toast stage including a toasting surface arranged vertically below the permeable surface, a heating element arranged behind the toasting surface, and a second paddle assembly arranged vertically below the first paddle assembly and configured to catch the bun crown released from the first paddle assembly, to compress the sliced face of the bun crown directly against the toasting surface, and to release the bun crown from the toasting surface.

Abstract: One variation of a system for buttering and toasting bread buns includes: a butter stage including: a vessel containing liquefied dairy fat and defining a permeable surface, a pressure supply fluidly coupled to the vessel, and a first paddle assembly configured to catch a bun crown dispensed into the butter stage, to compress a sliced face of the bun crown directly against the permeable surface, and to release the bun crown from the butter stage; and a toast stage including a toasting surface arranged vertically below the permeable surface, a heating element arranged behind the toasting surface, and a second paddle assembly arranged vertically below the first paddle assembly and configured to catch the bun crown released from the first paddle assembly, to compress the sliced face of the bun crown directly against the toasting surface, and to release the bun crown from the toasting surface.