Patents by Inventor Gerald A. Sus
Gerald A. Sus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8770433Abstract: A tray for vibratory conveying of food articles from a hopper is provided. The tray includes a tray body, food inlet portion, and a food outlet portion. An upwardly extending dividing member divides the tray into at least two food inlet conveyor passageways, the inlet conveyor passageways merging into a single food passageway that extends to the food outlet portion. The single food passageway may have an initially wide portion and subsequently narrow to a narrow portion as it approaches a discharge end. This arrangement helps to declump food items, preferably causing food items the size of chicken nuggets to be conveyed in a single-file arrangement along the single food passageway. The single food passageway is preferably non-linear, and may, for example, have a zigzag or serpentine configuration to promote accurate dispensing of food items.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Glenn Schackmuth, Craig Conley, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny M. Hong, David Bone, Brian Rudesill
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Patent number: 8684600Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons, Glenn Schackmuth, John J. Mazurkiewicz, William J. Reimann
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Patent number: 8307951Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ed Bridgman, David W. Kirby, Thomas Tapper
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Patent number: 8268376Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons, Glenn Schackmuth, John J. Mazurkiewicz, William J. Reimann
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Publication number: 20120078734Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ed Bridgman, David Kirby, Thomas Tapper
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Publication number: 20110310695Abstract: A device and method are provided for manually actuated dispensing of a particulate confection from a selected confection hopper into a dispensing stream of soft frozen dessert. The device includes a plurality of confection hoppers with corresponding confection outlets, a manual actuator operatively connected to a dispensing member that cooperates with the confection outlet to dispense only a controlled amount of confection from the corresponding hopper into a confection conduit each time the actuator is actuated, and mixing means for substantially uniformly mixing the controlled amount of confection into a serving amount of the soft frozen dessert as the dessert is dispensed into a serving receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Glenn Schackmuth, Rob Carr, James D. Ryndak, Jeffrey S. Dixon
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Patent number: 8069953Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ed Bridgman, David Kirby, Thomas Tapper
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Publication number: 20110256287Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for steam injection heating of a food product contained in the interior of a container. The apparatus includes a steam generator for generating steam and a steam exit port that is in fluid communication with the steam generator. Steam is injected though the exit port into the container. The apparatus has a surface for permitting the container interior to be put into an at least substantially sealed condition in a substantially closed environment with the exit port in fluid combination with the interior of the container. A container support supports the container and in combination with the sealing surface causes the container to be placed in the at least substantially sealed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons
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Patent number: 8034390Abstract: An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny Hong, Glenn Schackmuth, Christopher Juneau, Steven Konold, Richard Montafi, Benny Nunley, Charles E. Rose, David Bone, Tiffany C. Curry, Eddie R Mann, Mario G. Ceste, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, Ly Nguyen, Mitchell Strew, Andrew Courier, Kevin Keough, Richard Terrazzano, Douglas Christian Greening, John Meisner, John A. J. Wedel, John M. Corliss, Joseph Gerstmann, James Lozouski, William Day, Doug Jones, Roberto Nevarez, Keith Stanger, Jerry Sank
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Publication number: 20110195167Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons, Glenn Schackmuth, John J. Mazurkiewicz, William J. Reimann
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Patent number: 7981455Abstract: An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny Hong, Glenn Schackmuth, Christopher Juneau, Steven Konold, Richard Montafi, Benny Nunley, Charles E. Rose, David Bone, Tiffany Curry, Eddie R Mann, Mario G. Ceste, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, Ly Nguyen, Mitchell Strew, Andrew Courier, Kevin Keough, Richard Terrazzano, Douglas Christian Greening, John Meisner, John A. J. Wedel, John M. Corliss, Joseph Gerstmann, James Lozouski, William Day, Doug Jones, Roberto Nevarez, Keith Stanger, Jerry Sank
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Patent number: 7973642Abstract: A system and method for managing food production, inventory and delivery in a restaurant by automatically monitoring the types and quantities of food types that have been cooked and are in a cooked food holding area. Food holding trays are equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and holding cabinets are equipped with RFID interrogators. The type and quantity of food items are determined manually or by machine vision or weighing systems, and the data is stored on the RFID tags and in a controller. The system manages the use of food items on a first-in, first-out basis, alerts operators when the inventory of an item is nearing exhaustion, and alerts operators when food items in the holding area must be discarded. The system manages movable trays of food no matter where in the facility they are located.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Glenn Schackmuth, Gerald A. Sus
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Patent number: 7905173Abstract: A cooked food staging device and method are provided. The device and method are particularly suited for storing breaded, battered or bread food items for extended periods of time without becoming soggy. A heated compartment having a slot has a flexible member covering at least a portion of the slot to restrict airflow and to permit access to the food items contained therein, which may be contained on trays, without the necessity of removing the tray to view and remove selected food items therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Glenn Schackmuth, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons
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Patent number: 7891289Abstract: An automated food processing system is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a container, for example, an individual portion-sized container. The system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging food. An automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried, it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container, for example, an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held in position for filling by an automated container handling system. After a food container is filled, a conveyor system transports the container to a pick-up location.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Day, Doug Jones, Roberto Nevarez, Jerry Sank, Keith Stanger, Mario G. Ceste, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, Gerald A. Sus, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny Hong, Glenn Schackmuth, John M. Corliss, Joseph Gerstmann, James Lozouski
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Patent number: 7824721Abstract: An automated method of packaging cooked French fries in an individual portion-sized French fry container is provided, wherein the cooked French fries are mechanically delivered to a holding bin, an empty French fry container is mechanically scooped into the cooked French fries to fill the container, and the filled French fry container is mechanically deposited at a drop-off location. The cooked French fries may be received on an inlet chute, the inlet chute optionally vibrated to assist gravity in causing the French fries to travel into the holding bin. Seasoning may be applied to the French fries while the French fries are on the inlet chute, optionally restrained by one or more gates. After filling, the filled container may be mechanically shaken. Additionally, the empty French fry containers may be mechanically selected from a plurality of different-sized collapsed containers, mechanically obtained, and mechanically erected prior to scooping.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Glenn Schackmuth, Craig Conley, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny M. Hong, Mario G. Ceste, William Day, Benny Nunley, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, Charles E. Rose, Chris Coul, Mike Zizas, Dusan Ivancevic, Gregery M. Billman, Steve Yagla
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Patent number: 7775156Abstract: An open top fry basket device suited for use in a semi-automated food processing station, system and method is provided that allows cooked food items to be dispensed through a pivotable bottom of the fry basket actuated by the operator. The efficient and ergonomic design permits emptying of the fry basket without necessitating the turning over of the basket to dump the contents into a food storage bin.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Glenn Schackmuth, Henry T. Ewald, Juan Carlos Caviedes, Matthew R. Segal
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Publication number: 20100151092Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for steam injection heating of a liquid or solid edible material. When cooking, the method includes providing a predetermined amount of edible material. A predetermined amount of water supplied from a water tank is injected into a heated cavity to form a quantity of steam that is sufficient to cook the predetermined quantity of edible material when injected therein. The predetermined amount of water is provided by a liquid water injector. The predetermined amount of the edible material may be a single serving, or integer multiples thereof. When heating a serving amount that is an integer multiple of at least two times the amount of a single serving, the predetermined quantity of water is injected in pulses. The number of pulses is the same as the integer multiple of servings being heated, and each pulse contains substantially equal amounts of liquid water.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons
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Patent number: 7703636Abstract: A device and method are provided for dispensing a quantity of food to be cooked. The device includes a freezer, a storage container located in the freezer, means located in the freezer for dispensing a predetermined quantity of food from the storage container into a secondary container, and means for dispensing the quantity of food from the secondary container to a location outside the freezer. The means for dispensing a predetermined quantity of food may be, for example, a magazine with dual spiral flights for dispensing food items one at a time, or a vibratory conveyor cooperating with a device for determining a quantity of food in the secondary conveyor and means for terminating the dispensing when a predetermined quantity of food is sensed. The secondary container may have an opening in its bottom and be movable laterally to align its opening with an opening in the freezer.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Glenn Schackmuth, Craig Conley, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny M. Hong, David Bone, Brian Rudesill, Mario G. Ceste, Doug Christian Greening, Kevin Keough, John Meisner, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, John A. J. Wedel
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Publication number: 20090241481Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are for provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area assembling and packaging a food item and meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ed Bridgman, David Kirby, Thomas Tapper
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Patent number: 7594582Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons, Glenn Schackmuth, John J. Mazurkiewicz, William J. Reimann