Abstract: An automatic cooking medium level control system for a cooking apparatus, e.g., a fryer, may include a cooking vessel having a first temperature sensor at a first level of the cooking vessel and a second temperature sensor at a second level of the cooking vessel. A reservoir holding a cooking medium, such as cooking oil, may be in fluid communication with the cooking vessel. A controller may monitor temperature data from the first and second temperature sensors to determine whether the level of cooking oil in the cooking vessel has lowered. Upon determining that the cooking oil level has lowered, the controller may actuate a supply mechanism, such as a pump, which may be disposed on a fluid communication path between the reservoir and cooking vessel, which may enable the introduction of cooking medium from the reservoir to the to the cooking vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bread maker. The bread maker comprises: a main body having a door opening and forming a bread making space; a door opening/closing the door opening; a baking tray in the bread making space; a tray sensor sensing whether the baking tray is mounted in the bread making space; and a controller controlling a bread making process to be performed on the basis of a sensing signal from the tray sensor when the baking tray is mounted in the bread making space. Thus, operational errors are prevented since the bread maker is operates only when a baking tray is mounted.

Abstract: In order to dispense fresh sandwiches at any place and at all hours, this invention proposes an automatic sandwich dispenser which comprises a plurality of compartments in which whole fresh ingredients are stored. The dispenser comprises automatic sandwich making means which may be positioned opposite each compartment and which comprises arms for gripping and manipulating the compartments. When a consumer enters an order, the automatic sandwich making means slices each selected ingredient in a bread roll with the aid of a cutting device. Once the bread roll is filled with all the selected ingredients, the sandwich is delivered to the consumer.

Abstract: A bread maker including an oven compartment, parallel kneading drums inside the oven compartment that alternate between winding and unwinding rotations, and a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums. Each kneading drum includes a rotation shaft rotating according to the drum driving part; a hollow, cylindrical drum member disposed concentrically along an axis of the rotation shaft; and a clutch between the rotation shaft and the drum member, transmitting a rotary movement from the rotation shaft to the drum member in one direction and allowing the drum member to freewheel in the other direction.

Abstract: An automated system of preparing food designed with the preparation of Chinese food in mind, the system can be adapted to whatever type of food is desired by the user. The system uses one or more robots as the “chefs”. A heating element heats a cooking pan to a desired temperature. The cooking pan includes a temperature sensing element to monitor heating of the pan and cooking of the food. When the pan is fully heated, a delivery arm empties the contents of the bowl into the cooking pan to being the actual cooking. When the contents of the pan have reached the correct temperature to be “done”, the robot empties the contents into a serving dish, and the food is ready to be eaten.

Abstract: A bread maker including a main body forming an oven compartment; a pair of kneading drums inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag filled with bread ingredients; a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to knead dough contained in the mixing bag; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to separate the mixing bag from the holding part of a first one of the kneading drums and wind the mixing bag on a second one of the kneading drums after kneading the dough, and to rotate the second one of the kneading drums in a releasing direction opposite the winding direction after the mixing bag is wound on the second one of the kneading drums to unwind the mixing bag from the second one of the kneading drums.

Abstract: A separation device for dough pieces (2) is provided with an inlet portion for delivering a plurality of dough pieces (2), a separation unit (26) for separating the dough pieces (2) delivered and an outlet portion (27) for individually discharging the dough pieces (2) separated from one another. The separation unit (26) comprises a container (28) having a container bottom (31) which is divided into a round inner portion (33) to which the dough pieces (2) are delivered and an outer portion (34), extending at least partially around the inner portion (33). The outer portion (34) can be caused to rotate relative to the inner portion (33) around an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the container bottom plane and is arranged in conveying connection with the outlet portion (27). Such a separation device reliably separates a plurality of dough pieces.

Abstract: A taco shell heating apparatus for providing a fast, convenient, oil free way to heat taco shells. The taco shell heating apparatus includes a housing with four slots positioned through a top wall of the housing. Each one of the four slots is for selectively receiving a taco shell. A heating assembly is positioned within the housing. The heating assembly toasts the taco shell when the taco shell is received within the housing. The heating assembly further comprises a plurality of heat reflecting elements, at least one heating element, a timing assembly, and at least one extraction device.

Abstract: A bread maker including a main body divided into an oven compartment and an electric component compartment; a pair of parallel kneading drums spaced apart from each other inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag containing ingredients for bread, and reversing rotary direction periodically; a drum driving part in the electric component compartment rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions; a kneading drum control part allowing a user to control rotation of the kneading drums as desired; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to rotate the kneading drums according to user control of the kneading drum control part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the processing of an ingredient of a manufactured product, particularly one that is manufactured “one-the-spot” to a consumer's specification, such as ice cream, among other products. A tag encoded on a container for the product carries indicia that, directly or indirectly, define one or more formulations for the product. Apparatus into which the ingredient is loaded sets the processing of ingredients in accordance with the formulations so specified. By connecting the apparatus which is to process the ingredients to a control station, the formulations may be changed at will.

Abstract: A wall-mounted cooking appliance has a muffle and a bottom opening that can be closed by a lowerable bottom door. A drive mechanism is provided for lifting the bottom door. To prevent the jamming of objects that have been inadvertently placed below the base door, the novel wall-mounted cooking appliance has a control unit that detects an angle of inclination of the base door and controls the drive device in accordance with the magnitude of the angle of inclination to reduce the latter.

Abstract: An automated broiling and cutting device for the production of cooked Doner meat. A rotating unit carries meat containers for holding Doner meat to be cooked. The meat containers rotate about the broiling units and the cutting unit. Automated control of cooking and cutting is performed via a central control and adjustment panel.

Abstract: A multi-tier rotary grill for grilling and heating food items such as hot dogs, sausages, metts and similar food items. The rotary grill includes heated rollers that are arranged in vertically spaced apart roller tiers. The rollers in the multiple roller tiers lie in common respective planes that are substantially parallel to each other and may slope upwardly from a front to a back of the rotary grill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging apparatus for transferring bakery products into and from an oven. The charging apparatus comprises a charging table, which is transferable to a first position at the bakery line so that the bakery products to be baked are transferable to the charging table, transferable at the oven so that those bakery products to be baked that were transferred to the charging table in the first position are transferable from the charging table to the oven, transferable at the oven so that the bakery products baked in the oven are transferable to the charging table, and transferable to a second position at the bakery line so that the bakery products baked and transferred to the charging table are transferable from the charging table in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for cooking, cutting and preparing the doner meat automatically and without any human intervention in the same amount and form for service and an integrated instrument for cooking and cutting doner. This invention relates to a method for cooking the front sides of the meat boxes which are filled and frozen beforehand, by rotating said meat boxes around a center arranged circularly or with multi sides having 4, 5 or 7 cookers (radiant or LPG), cutting the cooked meat part and sending the cooked meat part for cooking again by rotating around itself and carrying out of these operations at a pre-determined amount and speed without human intervention controlled from a central command and turning table and a integrated doner cooking and cutting instrument for performing this method.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously mixing food products or for continuous high temperature frying on a heat exchange surface. The rotation of an agitator (12) pushes the food product toward the discharge outlet (26) of the apparatus when the agitator is rotated in one direction, and toward the inlet (24) when rotated in the opposite direction. By rotating the agitator slightly longer in the discharge direction than in the inlet direction the product is conveyed gradually and continuously toward the outlet. During the rotation of the agitator in each direction the product is tossed and mixed to promote even frying.

Abstract: A device for automatically preparing food is provided. The device includes a hot plate for heating a pot. Above the hot plate, a chamber is arranged. In the chamber, an exchangeable cartridge is provided which contains ingredients for the preparation of the food. The cartridge comprises an opening for filling the ingredients into the pot. The opening of the cartridge is closed with a closure, preferably a foil. The closure of the cartridge can be opened by a drive unit provided at the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making pizza includes a housing and a plurality of canisters containing fresh dough stored in the housing. A cutting blade is disposed in the housing and is movable between an upper limit position and a lower limit position to cut a slice of dough from one of the plurality of canisters. A press plate is disposed in the housing and receives the slice of dough. The press plate includes a first plate and a second plate that selectively move into engagement with each other to define an internal chamber therebetween to press flat and preheat the slice of dough. A rotary index table station is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of plates, with each of the plates being rotatable about a central axis of the rotary index table station. Preheated pizza crust is deposited on the plates. Each of the plates is then movable between an innermost radial position and an outermost radial position.

Abstract: A pasta machine includes a housing with a removable container for holding a liquid such as water, and the housing includes a heater for heating the liquid to a boiling state. An enclosed colander having a cover and holding a food product such as pasta is disposed on the container and includes arms to allow it to rotate through the boiling water. The housing of the pasta machine includes a suitable control mechanism that controls rotation of the colander through the boiling water to cook the food product within the colander. The number of rotations and intervals between rotation are a function of the type and amount of pasta within the colander.

Abstract: An automatic cooking monitor, control device and method are described which are able to cook a food item of any weight to an exact degree of doneness by either alerting a user to provide a substantially ambient temperature environment to a food item having been heated to a primary referenced internal temperature prior to final doneness; or by automatically and rapidly providing a reduced temperature environment in response to the food item's internal temperature then alerting the user to the conclusion of an adiabatic cycle as recognized by the monitor and control device.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating items such as for freezing, drying, or baking food items, includes an inclined track or trough with a perforated bottom through which pressurized treating gas flows to raise the item and hold it suspended above the bottom of the trough to allow the item to move by gravity down the trough as the treating gas, such as a cooling or refrigerating gas when the item is being cooled or frozen or a hot gas when the item is to be cooked, flows under, around, and over the item to be treated to thereby treat such item. It is preferred that the trough be a spiral trough surrounding a chamber containing pressurized treating fluid which flows from the chamber into a plenum under the perforated trough bottom, through the perforations and around the item and then out of the trough. The items can be stopped in the trough so that they remain for a predetermined treatment time.

Abstract: A roasting oven system includes elongate food holding wire mesh baskets, each having an axis of rotation defined by a left and right axial device secured to respective end walls of the baskets. The system also includes a housing having respective upper, lower, front, back, left end, and right end walls defining, in combination, a hollow interior envelope having a substantially concave upper surface, the housing including, within at least one of the front or rear walls, a movable panel for selectably removing and inserting the elongate baskets into the housing and upon a journal device within end plates at each opposite end wall. At least one of the front or rear walls further includes a narrow opening to provide a continuous and uninterrupted communication between the hollow interior envelope and the atmosphere. An infrared radiation element is situated within the envelope of housing, in which thereof is directed toward a center of the interior envelope of the oven.

Abstract: A roaster oven for roasting hot dog includes a roaster oven body, a roast frame and a transmitting device combined together. The roaster oven body has an opening on a top side for the roast frame to fit therein, and the transmitting device is driven to rotate together with rollers inside the roast frame so as to permit food placed on between two rollers rotate automatically to acquire effectiveness of heating and roasting food in a balanced condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparation of hen's eggs during which the eggs are put into a cooking chamber of an egg-cooking container (2) closeable by a cover (8), which chamber contains a liquid heat-supplying medium, preferably water. The preparation temperature during a first preparation stage is below the boiling temperature of the water, and during a following second preparation stage is held below the temperature of the first preparation stage but above 55.degree. C. During the first preparation stage, the water starts at a temperature of approx. 55.degree. C. and is heated at a high heating rate to a temperature of at least 90.degree. C. during a first period with the result that the eggs rapidly reach a core temperature of approx. 58.degree. to 75.degree. C. At the start of the second preparation stage, the water temperature is reduced at a high cooling rate to a final temperature of between 80.degree. C. and 55.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling the duration of heating and/or cooking an undetermined amount Z of a given food product (5) placed in an oven chamber (1) comprising a heat source (2) and a sensor (4) for picking up a signal characteristic of the heating and/or cooking state of the food product. The invention is characterised in that it consists, after (A) supplying the heat source (2) at an initial moment t.sub.0 so that it delivers a predetermined constant power P.sub.0, in (B) measuring said characteristic signal at several successive moments over a measuring interval from said initial moment t.sub.0 to a final prefixed moment t.sub.c ; in (C) computing over this measuring interval the value S.sub.Zc of the integral of the characteristic signal measurements of taken in absolute value; in (D) deducing the residual time t.sub.r for heating and/or cooking for said undetermined amount Z of food product according to a predetermined polynomial equation linking the residual time t.sub.

Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a non-electrical drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill pate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. In one disclosed embodiment, the drive is pneumatically actuated, and in a second disclosed embodiment, the drive employs a screw, gear, and electromagnetic clutch mechanism. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.

Abstract: A conveyor indexing mechanism for a bakery production line includes a variable speed motor, a conveyor, a number of baking pans, a dough packet drop mechanism, a sensor, and a timing generator. The conveyor moves the baking pans under the dough packet drop mechanism at a base speed and a ramp-up speed based on input from the sensor and timing generator. The sensor senses pan pockets in the baking pans which causes the motor to assume the base speed. The timing generator periodically causes the motor to assume the ramp-up speed. The indexing mechanism ensures that a row of pan pockets will be below the dough packet drop mechanism so that a row of dough packets will consistently fall therein with maximum throughput. The absence of any clutch or brake reduces wear, as does the continuous motion of the drive train, which prevents backlash in the gear components. A programmable controller receives system inputs and instructs an inverter to change the motor speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a load size of a food product in a cooking device is described. The apparatus includes a carrier assembly for receiving a food product; a cooking vessel containing a cooking medium, for receiving the carrier assembly; a lid assembly for raising and lowering the carrier assembly; a weight-bearing portion for supporting the lid assembly and the carrier assembly; a load sensor placed on the weight-bearing portion so as to measure a weight of the carrier assembly, the load sensor providing an output signal; and a control device for receiving the output signal and determining cooking parameters for the food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus designed to insure the integrity of food and food service in vending cart. Specifically, disclosed is a system that ensures the integrity of the food will not be compromised, by providing an enclosed or environmentally protected food service station, either portable, mobile or stationary. The system may also provide food monitoring for security, time, temperature and transaction accounting. The system consists of an enclosed or environmentally protected food service station, a sealed food compartment in which food is served, a food storage compartment, an access door for providing service and cleaning to the sealed sections of the station, and optionally an integrated security system that ensures that all access doors and ports are monitored for access and integrity. The security system provides an alarm and reporting capability. Authorization codes are provided to control alarm reset and accounting features of the system.

Abstract: An automated self-service pizza process and system comprises a vending machine with self-contained cooking and processing equipment to rapidly prepare delicious pizza. The stand-alone unattended process and system visually displays pizzas with choices of different toppings for selection by a customer who can pay for the pizza by credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash. Pizza crust can be moved to an assembly area by a robot. In the assembly area, the selected toppings are automatically dispensed on the pizza crust. The pizza is then conveyed to an oven where it is cooked and discharged into a cardboard box or other suitable container. The type of pizza and customer's name can be printed on the box with an ink jet printer.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for delivering formed, freshly fried potato products from a dehydrated potato granulate. The apparatus includes a frying unit with a frying vessel, heating element, device for controlling dwell time of the potato product, and at least two temperature sensors. The apparatus also includes a control unit for controlling the frying time. The apparatus may also include a dough making unit having a fixed lower plate and a rotary device having four cups.

Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill plate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.

Abstract: An automatic bread producing apparatus has a baking chamber. A temperature sensor is operative for detecting a temperature within the baking chamber. A first device is operative for detecting a room temperature. A second device is operative for determining a corrective value in response to the room temperature detected by the first device. A third device is operative for correcting a first control temperature into a second control temperature in response to the corrective value determined by the second device. A fourth device is operative for controlling a bread producing process in response to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the second control temperature provided by the third device.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing food items has a cooling unit for accommodating packages of edible inner part and separately outer baked dough part; a unit for opening a package with the edible inner part; a unit for withdrawing individual edible inner part from the open package; a unit for thermal processing of each edible inner part; a unit for opening a box with outer baked dough part; a unit for placing the thermally treated edible inner part into the outer baked dough part in the open package; a unit for warming up the outer baked dough part with the edible inner part located inside the outer baked dough part so as to form a finished food item; a unit for dispensing the thusly formed finished food item; and a transporting a unit for displacing packages with the edible inner parts, the individual inner part, the boxes with the outer baked dough part, and the finished food items between said preceding means.

Abstract: A plant and method for coagulating, pasteurizing and cooking food having a liquid or pasty base including a plurality of stations, devices for implementing a processing step on the food in each station, at least one container into which the food to be processed is initially placed, and devices for enabling the container(s) to be successively positioned in the stations to thereby subject the food in the container(s) to processing by the processing devices in the stations. The processing device in at least one station includes a variable-speed dynamic radial heat exchanger for affecting the temperature of the food.

Abstract: A clamshell griddle is designed so that the rising, lowering and rotating motions of the platen and the setting of distance between the griddle and the platen main body can be effected automatically and in one stroke by the operation of a single motor, thereby resulting in simple structure and low price.

Abstract: A toaster having a mechanically actuated cover for each of one or more toasting volumes. Each cover at least partially covers a toasting volume within the toaster during toasting, thereby reducing heat transfer (primarily due to convection) away from the toaster and the object being toasted. In preferred embodiments, each cover is a pair of slidably mounted plates. When a carriage (supporting an object to be toasted) is manually lowered by a user, a mechanical linkage attached to the carriage cause the plates to slide together to cover (substantially or totally) a toasting volume. When the carriage springs up (at the end of the toasting operation), the mechanical linkage slides the plates away from each other to allow removal of the toasted object from the toaster. In other preferred embodiments, each cover is a pair of rotatably mounted plates.

Abstract: In the automatic cooking apparatus of the present invention, when a conveyor start signal is received from a master control section, a CPU uses a foodstuff detecting sensor to detect whether a predetermined amount of a foodstuff is stored in a storage and transfer device. If the detecting sensor detects an amount less than the predetermined amount of the foodstuff, the CPU operates a refill section for a predetermined period of time to refill the foodstuff, and then stops this process. When a transfer operation start signal is received from the master control section, the CPU operates a transfer section for a predetermined period of time to supply the foodstuff to a taco on the conveyor. Accordingly, refilling the foodstuff is executed only when the conveyor is started to thereby facilitate the apparatus to operate reliably.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus with a control apparatus prepares various food items by combining plural kinds of food stuffs. The apparatus is formed of a plurality of delivery devices, each storing one kind of food stuff and delivering the same; a transport device situated under the delivery means for transporting a food item during preparation to the delivery device; an input device for inputting data including a menu, combination ratios of the food stuffs for various food items and number of food item to be prepared; and sensors situated in the respective delivery devices and electrically connected to the input device. Each sensor detects deficiency of the food stuff stored in each delivery device. A control device is connected to the delivery devices, the transport device and the input device. When one food item can not be prepared by deficiency of the food stuff, the control device checks if a food item which can be prepared without the deficiency food stuff has been ordered.

Abstract: An automated deep frying system includes a refrigerated food storage compartment having a portion controller and dispenser, an isolated cooking chamber having a frying vessel and a food basket which is movable to a variety of preselected positions for loading, cooking and dispensing the food, and an air purifier including a smooth cold surface for isolating the by-products of the frying process. The system also includes a microprocessor controller which is programmed for the system operation, including automatic dispensing, preparation and serving of preselected portions of food in response to an operator's input, as well as energy efficient control of the refrigerated food storage compartment and the air purifier cold plate.

Abstract: A specified-quantity supply apparatus of the invention transfers a specified amount of a cooking material. The apparatus is formed of a material stocker for retaining the cooking material therein, a pair of blade rollers disposed in the material stocker to be parallel to each other, and a screw disposed below the blade rollers and rotating around a shaft extending parallel to shafts of the blade rollers to transfer the cooking material falling from the blade rollers toward a discharge port. A material detection sensor may be disposed above the screw to detect the cooking material on the screw, and a rotational speed of the blade rollers may be controlled based on a detection result of the material detection sensor. A control device may control rotation of the blade rollers for a specified period of time after number of rotation of the screw reaches a set value. Thus, a required amount of the cooking material is constantly supplied on the screw.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus capable of producing different kinds of foods, the apparatus comprising plural number of processing devices, each having a specific function for treating or holding food materials, and one or more carrier vessels for transporting the food materials from one processing device to another, the carrier vessels having multiple functions and at least one compartment for holding the food materials treated or held in the processing devices. The apparatus is capable of producing different kinds of food products by instructing the carrier vessels to transfer food materials from one device to another according to the process requirements of the desired end products. The carrier vessel has a memory device that holds the information of the locations of devices from and to which the carrier vessels are instructed to transfer food materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making bread according to a predetermined ingredient recipe having a grain supply bin, a grinder for the grain, a dry ingredient supply, and a liquid ingredient supply. A processing unit selectively introduces predetermined amounts of the grain and the liquid/dry ingredients into a mixing chamber. The dough mixture produced is conveyed through proofing and baking steps.

Abstract: A cover for a toaster capable of retaining flame from a fire within the body of the toaster. The cover comprises a first wall adapted to overlie an access opening to a toaster compartment within the toaster, the first wall having a plurality of slot-like apertures formed therein with a second member partially or fully overlying each slot-like aperture but being located in a plane spaced from that of the first wall. The slot-like apertures are disposed transversely to a longitudinal axis of the toasting compartment whereby flame within the toasting compartment is substantially prevented from passing through the cover but convection heat from within the toasting compartment is capable of passing through the slot like apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for dry-cooking food products, having a thermo-ventilated cooking chamber (35) and a rotatable container (2) for food products, internal to the cooking chamber (35), with rotatably supported holed walls (8), which retains and mixes the food products. The container (2) is interpositioned between loading and unloading stations (90, 91) of the products positioned at levels respectively overlying and underlying the container (2), has a single opening (13) with a hatch (12), mobile from an initial open position in which the opening (13) is turned towards the loading station (90), to an intermediate closed position in which the container (2) rotates, to a final open position in which the opening (13) is turned towards the unloading station (91). The container (2) is blocked by rotation stop means (6). The apparatus (1) also comprises command means (7) of the activating and stop means (5, 6).

Abstract: An automated deep frying system includes a refrigerated food storage compartment having a portion controller and dispenser, an isolated cooking chamber having a frying vessel and a food basket which is movable to a variety of preselected positions for loading, cooking and dispensing the food, and an air purifier including a flat cold surface for isolating the by-products of the frying process. The system also includes a microprocessor controller which is programmed for the system operation, including automatic dispensing, preparation and serving of preselected portions of food in response to an operator's input, as well as energy efficient control of the refrigerated food storage compartment and the air purifier cold plate.

Abstract: An improvement in a dough ball pressing apparatus in which the continuous conveyor belt is provided with metal strips at predetermined spaced locations along each edge of the conveyor belt and a pair of proximity switches are positioned on the apparatus adjacent the edges of the conveyor belt for detecting the metal strips. The proximity switches cause the belt driving mechanism to stop upon detecting a metal strip for precisely locating the belt and controlling the distance of travel in each cycle. The conveyor belt is provided as a flat length with ends that are realeasably connected by a pin for allowing easy installation of the belt without disassembling the belt drive mechanism.

Abstract: A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Abstract: An automatic foodstuff cooking apparatus for automatically processing and cooking a foodstuff wherein the automatic foodstuff cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber which is arranged in the region between a receiving unit and a takeout unit both of which are located on the front side of the apparatus is disclosed. The front surface of the cooking chamber is covered with a transparent panel. A first cooking unit is arranged on the receiving unit side of the cooking chamber and a second cooking unit is arranged on the takeout unit side. In addition, at least one foodstuff producing unit is arranged on the rear side of the first cooking unit. With such construction, the apparatus is not required to employ any cook for operating the apparatus, and moreover, manpowers required for removing dirty dishes, bowls or the like after completion of a cooking operation can be eliminated. Additionally, the apparatus can be designed and constructed in smaller dimensions.

Abstract: A food processing plant comprises a cooking kettle, a holding tank and a depositor. The holding tank is provided with wheels to permit the tank to be moved from a first position in the proximity of the cooking kettle to a second position in the proximity of the depositor. Means is provided for applying a vacuum to the tank in the first position to draw food product from the kettle through a first pipeline. Means is provided for applying pressurized air to the holding tank in the second position to expel the food product from the tank to the depositor. A cooling station is provided in the form of a booth into which the tank is movable after leaving the first position and before entering the second position. The booth includes frame means which supports a cooling unit movable from a raised position into a lowered position within the tank. The cooling unit includes rotary vanes with scrapers for contact with the wall of the tank. The cooling unit mounted on a cover adapted to rest on the rim of the tank.