Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a grill, a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. An electronic hardware controller is in signal communication with the at least one grill, the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly. The controller operates the first arm assembly to transfer a prepared product to the grill, and operates the second arm assembly to transfer a cooked product from the grill.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a grill, a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. An electronic hardware controller is in signal communication with the at least one grill, the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly. The controller operates the first arm assembly to transfer a prepared product to the grill, and operates the second arm assembly to transfer a cooked product from the grill.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.

Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

Abstract: A system to store food products within a heated compartment is provided. The system includes an enclosure that receives stacked trays, and an elevator to lift trays to a position to receive a plurality of food products from a conveyor or another source. A fork may be provided that receives a cooked food product thereon and rotates to allow the cooked food product to fall into the positioned tray while being maintained in a horizontal manner. A shuttle moves a full tray into a heated compartment, which moves trays therewithin to organize them for future use within a restaurant operation.

Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.

Abstract: A grill is provided comprising: an upper platen assembly including an upper grilling plate; a lower platen assembly including a lower grilling plate opposite the upper grilling plate, the upper grilling plate being separated from the lower grilling plate by a distance; one or more actuators operably connected to at least one of the upper platen assembly and the lower platen assembly, wherein the one or more actuators are configured to adjust the distance; and a conveyor belt located between the upper grilling plate and the lower grilling plate, wherein the conveyer belt is configured to move one or more food products between the upper grilling plate and the lower grilling plate.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.

Abstract: A system to store food products within a heated compartment is provided. The system includes an enclosure that receives stacked trays, and an elevator to lift trays to a position to receive a plurality of food products from a conveyor or another source. A fork may be provided that receives a cooked food product thereon and rotates to allow the cooked food product to fall into the positioned tray while being maintained in a horizontal manner. A shuttle moves a full tray into a heated compartment, which moves trays therewithin to organize them for future use within a restaurant operation.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a grill is provided including performing a first calibration run. A first calibration run includes monitoring a current of a leveling mechanism as the first grilling surface moves into contact with a second opposite grilling surface to determine a first location of the grilling surface. The current of the leveling mechanism is also monitored as the first grilling surface moves out of contact with the second grilling surface to determine a second location of the first grilling surface. A first calibration setting including the first location and the second location is stored in the control.

Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a grill, a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. An electronic hardware controller is in signal communication with the at least one grill, the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly. The controller operates the first arm assembly to transfer a prepared product to the grill, and operates the second arm assembly to transfer a cooked product from the grill.

Abstract: A grill is provided comprising: an upper platen assembly including an upper grilling plate; a lower platen assembly including a lower grilling plate opposite the upper grilling plate, the upper grilling plate being separated from the lower grilling plate by a distance; one or more actuators operably connected to at least one of the upper platen assembly and the lower platen assembly, wherein the one or more actuators are configured to adjust the distance; and a conveyor belt located between the upper grilling plate and the lower grilling plate, wherein the conveyer belt is configured to move one or more food products between the upper grilling plate and the lower grilling plate.

Abstract: A method of operating a device for preparing a formed food product includes receiving at a controller an input indicating one or more parameters of the formed food product, molding a portion of a food composition into a shape corresponding to the desired form in response to receiving the input, and separating the molded food composition from a non-molded portion of the food composition in response to receiving the input to create the formed food product having a desired thickness.

Abstract: A product storage device is provided. Aspects include a plurality of shelves coupled to a drive system, wherein the plurality of shelves are operable to travel along the drive system to predetermined locations. The product storage unit also includes a transfer conveyer. A lift transfer device is included, wherein the lift transfer device is operable to remove at least one food product from at least one of the plurality of shelves and transfer the at least one food product to the transfer conveyer. And a microcontroller circuit communicatively coupled to a memory is included, wherein the microcontroller circuit is programmable to operate: the drive system, the transfer conveyer, and the lift transfer device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to generate predictive food preparation schedules for restaurants or other stores or establishments. The processes include obtaining, at a control unit, data from one or more sources associated with a restaurant and generating a predictive food preparation schedule based on the obtained data, the predictive food preparation schedule indicating a number of items to be prepared in advance of at least one of a given time and event.

Abstract: A staging system is provided. The staging system includes a movable belt and a heating member. The movable belt includes first and second ends. The movable belt supports and transports products by receiving the products at the first end and outputting the products from the second end to an expired product area. The heating member provides a heat source to the products while the products are supported and transported by the movable belt. Additionally, the staging system comprises a controller. The controller operates the movable belt to transport each of the products between the first end and the second end in accordance with an expiration timer.