Abstract: A food preparation apparatus includes a cooker assembly, a food delivery mechanism, a food release mechanism, a food removal mechanism, and a food transport mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a first arm and a food vessel mounted to the first arm. The food vessel is configured to deposit a food item onto the cooker assembly. The food release mechanism includes a second arm that is movable between a first position spaced apart from the cooking station and a second position adjacent to a location at which the food vessel deposits the food item onto the cooking station. The food removal mechanism includes a third arm and a set of wipers. The food transport mechanism includes a spatula. The food removal mechanism and the food transport mechanism cooperate to remove the food item from the cooker assembly and transport the food item to a desired location.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device for a heating surface for food products includes a temperature probe configured to be coupled to the heating surface and to generate an electrical signal indicative of a temperature of the heating surface. The device includes a controller in electrical communication with the temperature probe. The device includes a wireless transmitter in electrical communication with the controller. The controller is configured to read the electrical signal from the temperature probe and to provide an output signal to the wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit a temperature signal to a transceiver based on the output signal. The wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly receive energy. The controller is configured to be powered by the received energy from the wireless transmitter.

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 food-heating apparatus includes a blower assembly, a heater housing, and a heating element. The heater housing may receive air from the blower assembly. The heating element may be disposed within the heater housing. The heater housing may a first flow path through which the air flows in a first direction outside of the heating element. The heating element may define a second flow path through which the air flows in a second direction inside of the heating element. The first flow path may receive the air from the blower assembly. The second flow path may receive the air from the first flow path.