US3702583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for processing food
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-06
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1990-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling the processing of food in a processing environment includes the utilization of a time setting apparatus that may be remotely located from the processing environment. One embodiment utilizes a push button operated control mechanism that automatically locates the food in the processing environment for a preselected time interval. A second embodiment includes the use of a key punch apparatus which will produce a tape means for controlling the processing time of the food and at the same time provides a permanent record of the number of servings and types of food that was processed over a time interval. A third embodiment utilizes a plurality of holders which store food of a preselected type and quantity. Circuitry is provided to control the automatic dispensing of selected food into a carrier with a hinged bottom and also the removal of the food therefrom either before or after it has gone through a cooking environment. The above-mentioned embodiments are particularly usable in vending machines and other types of food processing apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 George B Rullman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0064; G07F17/0078; A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/04; G07F9/00; G07F9/10; G07F9/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for controlling the cooking of foods, said apparatus comprising: A. A food cooking means for cooking food exposed to a cooking environment thereof; B. Means for moving food into the cooking environment of said cooking means for a preselected time period, said moving means operable to move said food out of said environment after said time period; C. Timer means for controlling said food moving means; and D. Means for actuating said timer means from a remote location thereby controlling the time that food is exposed to said cooking environment, said timer means and said moving means cooperating to permit a plurality of food quantities to be automatically moved into said cooking environment and maintained therein for a cooking time corresponding to that initiated by said remote actuating means, said remote actuating means including a data storage means for accumulating data relative to said plurality of food quantities, said actuating means being interconnected with said data storage means through appropriately punched tape and operable to condition said timer means for operation in accordance with said accumulated data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for controlling the cooking of foods, said apparatus comprising: A. A food cooking means for cooking food exposed to a cooking environment thereof; B. Means for moving food into the cooking environment of said cooking means for a preselected time period, said moving means operable to move said food out of said environment after said time period; C. Timer means for controlling said food moving means; and D. Means for actuating said timer means from a remote location thereby controlling the time that food is exposed to said cooking environment, said timer means and said moving means cooperating to permit a plurality of food quantities to be automatically moved into said cooking environment and maintained therein for a cooking time corresponding to that initiated by said remote actuating means, said remote actuating means including a data storage means for accumulating data relative to said plurality of food quantities, said actuating means being interconnected with said data storage means through appropriately punched tape and operable to condition said timer means for operation in accordance with said accumulated data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said data storage means includes a key punch apparatus capable of producing said appropriately punched tape; and wherein there are means operated from said punched tape for automatically controlling the type of food delivered to said cooking environment and the number of servings to be cooked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein sad actuating means includes a plurality of separate electrical contacts, said electrical contacts having a preselected timing period associated therewith, a motor means, said motor means operable to rotate a movable contact arm relative to said electrical contacts, means for selectively energizing said motor means to move said movable contact arm to preselected electrical contacts thereby actuating said timer means for the time period associated with said contacts in electrical contact with said movable contact arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for moving food into the cooking environment is a single line conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a device for cooking foods having a cooking environment and a means for moving said food into said environment, the improvement comprising: a holder, a plurality of food containers operable to hold preselected quantities of different foods therein, said holder operable to hold said containers, each container having at least one opened side and one closed side, said containers positioned within said holder so that the closed side of one container closes the opened side of another container, a plate to close the open side of the bottom container and means for selectably removing a container from said holder in order to remove food from one of the containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a device for cooking foods having a cooking environment and a means for moving said food into said environment, the improvement comprising: a holder, a plurality of food containers operable to hold preselected quantities of different foods therein, said holder operable to hold said containers, each container having at least one opened side and one closed side, said containers positioned within said holder so that the closed side of one container closes the opened side of another container, a plate to close the open side of the bottom container and means for selectably removing a container from said holder in order to remove food from one of the containers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as in claim 5 including a plurality of said holders, and means for remotely controlling the selective removal of a container from any one of said holders.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention as in claim 6 wherein said cooking environment has space for simultaneously cooking a plurality of food quantities, means for monitoring the space in said cooking environment, a food moving means, and means for controlling the food moving means to effect the movement of said selectively removed food relative to said cooking environment in accordance with said monitoring means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |