Patent US3926489A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3926489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for use in assembling food on trays
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-10-04
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use in assembling hot and cold food portions onto moving trays. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular cabinet section which may be mounted on casters for portability. The top surface of the cabinet is provided with a plurality of hot food wells and frost plates adjacent each of its longitudinally extending sides. Mounted centrally on the top of the cabinet and extending upwardly therefrom is a tray conveyer assembly. Food trays carried by continuously rotating tray carriers mounted on the conveyer assembly pass in front of attendants who place the required portions of hot and/or cold food upon the trays.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Gerald Futch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:07
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/22; A; A47; A47F; A47F10/00; A47F10/06; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for use in making up serving trays with food portions comprising: a. a cabinet assembly having two spaced apart, longitudinally extending, generally flat top counter surfaces; b. a hollow, narrow, elongated, serving tray conveyer assembly centrally and longitudinally fixedly positioned between said two top surfaces and extending upwardly a substantial distance therefrom, i. said tray conveyer assembly having end and sidewalls extending upwardly from said top surface, a continuous shelf projecting outwardly from said end and sidewalls adjacent their upper ends, a plurality of tray support means supported by said shelf for movement thereover, and means located in the upper portion of said tray conveyer assembly for moving said plurality of tray support means around a closed path; and c. each of said two top surfaces of said cabinet providing means for Accommodating a plurality of bulk or individually portioned food containers for placement of individual portions on each of said serving trays by an attendant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for use in making up serving trays with food portions comprising: a. a cabinet assembly having two spaced apart, longitudinally extending, generally flat top counter surfaces; b. a hollow, narrow, elongated, serving tray conveyer assembly centrally and longitudinally fixedly positioned between said two top surfaces and extending upwardly a substantial distance therefrom, i. said tray conveyer assembly having end and sidewalls extending upwardly from said top surface, a continuous shelf projecting outwardly from said end and sidewalls adjacent their upper ends, a plurality of tray support means supported by said shelf for movement thereover, and means located in the upper portion of said tray conveyer assembly for moving said plurality of tray support means around a closed path; and c. each of said two top surfaces of said cabinet providing means for Accommodating a plurality of bulk or individually portioned food containers for placement of individual portions on each of said serving trays by an attendant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tray support moving means includes a rotatable wheel mounted within said conveyer assembly at each end thereof, drive means for driving one of said wheels, an endless, flexible drive member connected to each of said wheels, a plurality of spaced apart tray support drive brackets attached to said flexible drive member and extending transversely through an endless opening in the sides and ends of said housing, and coupling means on each of said tray supports for attaching thereto one of said drive brackets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein at least one low friction slide member is mounted on the top surface of said shelf and extending completely therearound to slidingly support said plurality of tray support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 including readily detachable means for coupling said tray support means to said flexible drive member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said wheels are sprockets and said flexible drive member is a drive chain assembly, which assembly is carried by a generally U-shaped, endless, elliptical track which is carried by said sidewalls of said conveyer assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said drive chain assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart, transversely extending tray carrier drive brackets and support guides, each being coupled at one end to said drive chain and being slidably supported by the upper end of one of the sidewalls of said U-shaped track.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said upper end of each of the track sidewalls is provided with a slide cap of low friction material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said U-shaped track inner walls are covered by a layer of low friction material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
233 words
A device for use in making up serving trays with food portions comprising: a. an elongated, generally rectangular cabinet having tow spaced apart, longitudinally extending, generally flat, top counter surfaces with a plurality of openings therein; b. a hot food well or a cold plate assembly received in each of said plurality of openings provided in each of said two top surfaces; c. an elongated, generally rectangular tray conveyer assembly positioned between and fixedly connected at its base to said two top surfaces and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating inwardly from the ends of said cabinet, i. said tray conveyer assembly including a hollow housing having opposed sidewalls and end walls having a continuous shelf projecting freely outwardly from the upper end of said housing and supported by a plurality of brackets attached to said side and end walls, ii. a plurality of tray carriers slidingly supported by said shelf, and iii. a tray carrier drive assembly mounted within said hollow housing adjacent its upper end, said drive assembly including an endless drive chain carried by a pair of sprockets, one sprocket positioned at each end of said housing, one of said sprockets having a variable speed drive motor coupled thereto, said drive chain being connected to each of said tray carriers by a drive bracket extending transversely through a continuous opening provided in said hollow housing above the level of said shelf.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
233 words
A device for use in making up serving trays with food portions comprising: a. an elongated, generally rectangular cabinet having tow spaced apart, longitudinally extending, generally flat, top counter surfaces with a plurality of openings therein; b. a hot food well or a cold plate assembly received in each of said plurality of openings provided in each of said two top surfaces; c. an elongated, generally rectangular tray conveyer assembly positioned between and fixedly connected at its base to said two top surfaces and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating inwardly from the ends of said cabinet, i. said tray conveyer assembly including a hollow housing having opposed sidewalls and end walls having a continuous shelf projecting freely outwardly from the upper end of said housing and supported by a plurality of brackets attached to said side and end walls, ii. a plurality of tray carriers slidingly supported by said shelf, and iii. a tray carrier drive assembly mounted within said hollow housing adjacent its upper end, said drive assembly including an endless drive chain carried by a pair of sprockets, one sprocket positioned at each end of said housing, one of said sprockets having a variable speed drive motor coupled thereto, said drive chain being connected to each of said tray carriers by a drive bracket extending transversely through a continuous opening provided in said hollow housing above the level of said shelf.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 9 including a removable top cover for said hollow housing, said top cover having downturned sidewalls terminating above said hollow housing sidewalls to provide space therebetween for projection of said drive brackets therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |