US4922435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food preparation robot
Assignee: Restaurant Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1988-04-01
•
Granted: 1990-05-01
•
Expires: 2008-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A fully automated robotized system and method is provided for cooking food products. The system and method is especially useful for use in a quick service or fast food restaurant and, in one embodiment, is capable of cooking, on a fully automated basis, french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties. In one embodiment, the system includes a robot, a bulk uncooked food dispensing station, a cooking station and a cooked food storage station. The system can be controlled by a computer operating and control station that controls and directs the robot to obtain bulk food from the dispensing station, place it in cooking position at the cooking station and when cooked, remove the food and deliver it to the storage station, at a rate required to fill anticipated customer orders.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Cahlander
- 👤 David W. Carroll
- 👤 Robert A. Hanson
- 👤 Al Hollingsworth
- 👤 John O. Reinertsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:34
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F10/00; A47F10/06; G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0064; G07F17/0078; G07F17/0085; A47J; A47J27/00; A47J27/14; A47J37/00; A47J37/12; A47J37/1228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 127
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a robot capable of working in an area that determines a work area; (b) dispensing means for dispensing uncooked food products into a moveable container located in said work area comprising at least one bulk uncooked food dispenser; (c) cooking means for cooking food products comprising at least one cooking station is said work area; (d) storage means adjacent said work area for receiving and storing cooked food; (e) dump means for dumping into said storage means food products cooked by said cooking means and delivered to said dump means by said robot via said container; and (f) an end of arm robot tool for said robot, said robot capable of, in conjunction with said end of arm tool, selectively engaging, disengaging and moving said container to desired locations in said work area while said food products are contained in said container, said desired locations including an uncooked food dispensing location for receiving food products into said container from said food dispenser, a cooking location at said cooking station for cooking said food products and a dumping location where cooked food products are unloaded from said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a robot capable of working in an area that determines a work area; (b) dispensing means for dispensing uncooked food products into a moveable container located in said work area comprising at least one bulk uncooked food dispenser; (c) cooking means for cooking food products comprising at least one cooking station is said work area; (d) storage means adjacent said work area for receiving and storing cooked food; (e) dump means for dumping into said storage means food products cooked by said cooking means and delivered to said dump means by said robot via said container; and (f) an end of arm robot tool for said robot, said robot capable of, in conjunction with said end of arm tool, selectively engaging, disengaging and moving said container to desired locations in said work area while said food products are contained in said container, said desired locations including an uncooked food dispensing location for receiving food products into said container from said food dispenser, a cooking location at said cooking station for cooking said food products and a dumping location where cooked food products are unloaded from said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said cooking station comprises at least one fry vat for cooking said food products in a cooking fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising skimming means engageable by said end of arm tool and operable by said robot for skimming surface impurities from the surface of cooking fluid contained in said fry vat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising liquid level measuring means operable by said robot, for determining the level of cooking fluid in said fry vat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said measuring means comprises an ultrasonic liquid level detector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising filling means for adding cooking fluid to said fry vat, said filling means comprising a cooking fluid reservoir moveable by said robot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said cooking station comprises first and second fry vats.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The robotized system of claim 1 further comprising said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 8 wherein said container means comprises at least one fry basket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 9 wherein said container means comprises a plurality of fry baskets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means comprises a first food dispenser that is a french fry dispenser and a second food dispenser that is a chicken nugget dispenser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 11 further comprising a third food dispenser for dispensing fish filets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 12 further comprising a fourth food dispenser for dispensing chicken patties.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The robotized system of claim 13 wherein said cooking station comprises at least one separate fry vat for each of said types of food products.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The robotized system of claim 9 further comprising storage means for cooked french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The robotized system of claim 11 further comprising separate storage means for cooked french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The robotized system of claim 11 further comprising storage means for cooked french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means can dispense at least one type of uncooked food product selected from the group consisting of french fries, chicken nuggets, fish fillets and chicken patties.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein at least one separate container is provided for each type of uncooked product food.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said food dispenser is capable of dispensing a preselected amount of food products into said container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said robot is ceiling mounted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The robotized system of claim 1 further comprising computer operating and control means for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said container in sequence to and from said food dispensing station and to from said cooking station at a frequency based on an anticipated volume of customer orders.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said anticipated volume of customer orders is based on stored data stored in said computer operating and control means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 23 wherein at least part of said stored data is based on data collected on a real time basis from customer orders for that day.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 23 wherein at least a portion of said stored data is based on historical data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said stored data contains the anticipated volume of customer orders based on food product type on an hourly basis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said computer operating and control means includes conflict determining means for determining whether a proposed system operation would conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food products for said current or future operation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said computer operating and control means includes means for determining when a proposed system operation can be started and completed without conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food products for said current or future operation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising locator means for allowing said robot to position said container in said cooking location with respect to said cooking means and at a dumping location with respect to said dump means while said container is engaged to said robot, and for retaining said container in said desired positions when said robot disengages from said container.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 29 wherein said locator means comprises, in conjunction with said container, at least one upwardly projecting locator pin and a complementary engagement aperture, either said locator pin or said aperture being fixed on each of said cooking means and dump means, and the other of said locator pin and aperture being fixed on said container.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 30 wherein said locator means comprises either a spaced apart pair of said locator pins or a pair of similarly spaced apart complementary apertures at said cooking and dumping locations and the other of said pair of locator pins and pair of apertures being fixed on said container.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 31 wherein said locator pins are fixed with respect to said cooking and dump positions and said apertures are fixed with respect to said container.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated method of cooking food products comprising utilizing the system of claim 1 to cook said food products.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
155 words
An automatic robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a food dispensing station comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food to a food container for holding a quantity of food in a work area; (b) at least one cooking station in said work area for cooking food in said container; (c) a robot capable of engaging, transporting and releasing said food container in said work area, said container selectively engageable and moveable by said robot to desired locations, including a dispensing position as said food is dispensed into said container and to a cooking position at said cooking station; and (d) computer control means for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said container in sequence to and from said food dispenser and to and from said cooking station at a frequency determined by said computer control means based on the frequency and quantity of food ordered by customers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
155 words
An automatic robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a food dispensing station comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food to a food container for holding a quantity of food in a work area; (b) at least one cooking station in said work area for cooking food in said container; (c) a robot capable of engaging, transporting and releasing said food container in said work area, said container selectively engageable and moveable by said robot to desired locations, including a dispensing position as said food is dispensed into said container and to a cooking position at said cooking station; and (d) computer control means for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said container in sequence to and from said food dispenser and to and from said cooking station at a frequency determined by said computer control means based on the frequency and quantity of food ordered by customers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said food dispensers for dispensing different types of uncooked food.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 35 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said food containers equal or greater in number to the number of food dispensers.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said cooking station further comprises a plurality of frying vats.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said computer control means includes memory means containing a daily plan of varying production rates as a function of time and food type.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 38 wherein said computer control means includes means for monitoring and gathering sales data based on actual sales of cooked food by type and quantity on a real time basis and means for adjusting said daily plan.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 38 wherein said computer control means further includes a short-term plan of robot and station functions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated method of cooking food products comprising utilizing the system of claim 34 to cook said food products.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
208 words
A fully automated robotized fry cell for processing bulk uncooked french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties comprising: (a) a dispensing station comprising a plurality of food dispensers including a french fry dispenser, a chicken nugget dispenser, a fish filet dispenser and a chicken patty dispenser, each dispenser capable of dispensing an amount of food into a container; (b) a cooking station comprising at least one fry vat; (c) a robot capable of working in an area that determines a work area; (d) an end of arm robot tool for said robot, said robot capable of, in conjunction with said end of arm tool, selectively engaging, disengaging and moving, in said work area to said stations while engaged, said container for holding a quantity of food from said dispensing station; (e) said dispensing station and said cooking station being located with respect to said work area so that said robot can place said container in a food receiving position with respect to any of said plurality of food dispensers, and in a cooking position with respect to said fry vat; and (f) locator means for allowing said robot to position said container and for retaining said container in a desired cooking position in said fry vat.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
208 words
A fully automated robotized fry cell for processing bulk uncooked french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties comprising: (a) a dispensing station comprising a plurality of food dispensers including a french fry dispenser, a chicken nugget dispenser, a fish filet dispenser and a chicken patty dispenser, each dispenser capable of dispensing an amount of food into a container; (b) a cooking station comprising at least one fry vat; (c) a robot capable of working in an area that determines a work area; (d) an end of arm robot tool for said robot, said robot capable of, in conjunction with said end of arm tool, selectively engaging, disengaging and moving, in said work area to said stations while engaged, said container for holding a quantity of food from said dispensing station; (e) said dispensing station and said cooking station being located with respect to said work area so that said robot can place said container in a food receiving position with respect to any of said plurality of food dispensers, and in a cooking position with respect to said fry vat; and (f) locator means for allowing said robot to position said container and for retaining said container in a desired cooking position in said fry vat.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
72 words
The fry cell of claim 41 wherein said locator means comprises at least one upwardly projecting locator pin and a complementary engagement aperture for said locator pin, either said aperture or said pin being associated with said fry vat and the other being associated with said container, so that when said pin is inserted within said aperture said container is located and retained in cooking position with respect to said fry vat.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fry cell of claim 43 wherein said locator means comprises a pair of said locator pins spaced apart and a complementary pair of similarly spaced apart engagement apertures.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fry cell of claim 44 wherein said locator pins are associated with said fry vat and said engagement apertures are associated with said container.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fry cell of claim 45 wherein said apertures are located on a gripper block secured to said container, said gripper block being engageable by said end of arm robot tool for moving said container to a desired location in said work area.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated method of cooking food products comprising utilizing the system of claim 41 to cook said food products.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
113 words
An automated system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a work area containing dispensing, cooking and storage stations and defining an area in which an operator can interface with said stations; (b) said dispensing station for dispensing bulk, uncooked food and comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food pieces into a moveable container located in said work area; (c) said cooking station comprising at least one frying vat; (d) said storage station for receiving and storing cooked food; (e) automated dump means for automatically dumping into said storage means food cooked by said cooking station in response to food being delivered and placed on said dump means by the operator.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
113 words
An automated system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a work area containing dispensing, cooking and storage stations and defining an area in which an operator can interface with said stations; (b) said dispensing station for dispensing bulk, uncooked food and comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food pieces into a moveable container located in said work area; (c) said cooking station comprising at least one frying vat; (d) said storage station for receiving and storing cooked food; (e) automated dump means for automatically dumping into said storage means food cooked by said cooking station in response to food being delivered and placed on said dump means by the operator.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 48 wherein said first food dispenser is a french fry dispenser and said system further comprises a said second food dispenser that is a chicken nugget dispenser.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 49 further comprising a third food dispenser for dispensing fish filets.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 50 further comprising a fourth food dispenser for dispensing chicken patties.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 51 further comprising at least one separate fry vat for each of said types of food.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 50 further comprising storage means for cooked french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 49 further comprising separate storage means for cooked french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 49 further comprising storage means for french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 48 wherein said food dispensing station can dispense at least one type of uncooked food selected from the group consisting of french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 48 wherein each of said food dispensers is capable of dispensing a preselected amount of food into said container.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 48 further comprising computer operating and control means for controlling and directing the operator to engage and transport said food container in sequence to and from said food dispensing station and to and from said cooking station at a frequency based on an anticipated volume of customer orders.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 58 wherein said computer operating and control means includes conflict determining means for determining whether a proposed system operation would conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food for said current or future operation.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 59 wherein said computer operating and control means includes means for determining when a proposed system operation can be started and completed without conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food for said current or future operation.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 58 wherein said anticipated volume of customer orders is based on stored data stored in said computer operating and control means.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 61 wherein at least part of said stored data is based on data collected on a real time basis from customer orders for that day.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 61 wherein at least a portion of said data is based on historical data.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 61 wherein said stored data contains the anticipated volume of customer orders based on food type on an hourly basis.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 48 further comprising locator means for allowing the operator to position said container means in cooking position with respect to said cooking means and at a dump position with respect to said dump means and for retaining said container means in said desired positions when said operator disengages from said container means.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 65 wherein said locator means comprises, in conjunction with said container means, at least one upwardly projecting locator pin and a complementary engagement aperture, either said locator pin or said aperture being fixed on each of said cooking means and dump means, and the other of said locator pin and aperture being fixed on said container means.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 66 wherein said locator means comprises either a spaced apart pair of said locator pins or a pair of similarly spaced apart complementary apertures at each cooking and dump position and the other of said pair of locator pins and pair of apertures being fixed on said container.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 67 wherein said locator pins are fixed with respect to said cooking and dump positions and said apertures are fixed with respect to said container.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated method of cooking food products comprising utilizing the system of claim 48 to cook said food products.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
169 words
An operating and control system for a system for cooking a plurality of types of food products having a robot capable of engaging, transporting and releasing a food container in a work area, a food dispensing station comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food to said food container in said work area, a cooking station comprising at least one cooking apparatus in said work area and at least one food container selectively engageable and movable by said robot for holding a quantity of food dispensed from said food dispenser and for holding said quantity of food in cooking position with respect to said cooking means, said operating and control system comprising a computer operating and control system for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said food container in sequence to and from said food dispenser and to and from said cooking means at a frequency determined by said computer means based on the anticipated frequency and quantity of food products ordered by customers.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
169 words
An operating and control system for a system for cooking a plurality of types of food products having a robot capable of engaging, transporting and releasing a food container in a work area, a food dispensing station comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food to said food container in said work area, a cooking station comprising at least one cooking apparatus in said work area and at least one food container selectively engageable and movable by said robot for holding a quantity of food dispensed from said food dispenser and for holding said quantity of food in cooking position with respect to said cooking means, said operating and control system comprising a computer operating and control system for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said food container in sequence to and from said food dispenser and to and from said cooking means at a frequency determined by said computer means based on the anticipated frequency and quantity of food products ordered by customers.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 70 wherein said computer control system includes memory means containing a daily plan of varying production rates as a function of time and food type.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 71 wherein said computer control system includes means for monitoring and gathering sales data based on actual sales of cooked food by type and quantity on a real time basis and means for adjusting said daily plan in response to said real time sales data.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 71 wherein said computer control means further includes a short-term plan of robot and station functions.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 73 wherein at least part of said short-term plan is based on data collected on a real time basis from customer orders for that day.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 71 wherein at least a portion of said daily plan is based on historical data.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 71 wherein said memory means contains the anticipated volume of customer orders based on food type on an hourly basis.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 70 wherein said computer operating and control system includes conflict determining means for determining whether a proposed system operation would conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food for said current or future operation.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 77 wherein said computer operating and control system includes means for determining when a proposed system operation can be started and completed without conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food for said current or future operation.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a computer controlled robot capable of selectively engaging, transporting and releasing a food container for holding a quantity of food in a work area; (b) a computer controlled food dispensing station comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food to said food container in said work area; (c) at least one computer controlled cooking station in said work area; (d) computer control means for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said food container in sequence to and from said food dispenser and to and from said cooking means at a frequency determined by said computer means based on the frequency of customer orders, and for monitoring, controlling and operating said food dispensing station and said cooking station.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
132 words
An automatic robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a computer controlled robot capable of selectively engaging, transporting and releasing a food container for holding a quantity of food in a work area; (b) a computer controlled food dispensing station comprising at least one food dispenser for dispensing uncooked food to said food container in said work area; (c) at least one computer controlled cooking station in said work area; (d) computer control means for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said food container in sequence to and from said food dispenser and to and from said cooking means at a frequency determined by said computer means based on the frequency of customer orders, and for monitoring, controlling and operating said food dispensing station and said cooking station.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 79 wherein said system comprises a plurality of food dispensers for dispensing different types of uncooked food.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 80 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said food containers equal or greater in number to the number of food dispensers.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 81 wherein said cooking station comprises a plurality of cooking frying vats.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 80 wherein said computer control means includes memory means containing a daily plan of varying production rates as a function of time and food type.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 83 wherein said computer control means includes means for monitoring and gathering sales data based on actual sales of cooked food by type and quantity on a real time basis and means for adjusting said daily plan.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 84 wherein said computer control means further includes a short-term plan of robot and station functions.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automated method of cooking food products comprising utilizing the system of claim 74 to cook said food products.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
228 words
A fully automated robotized fry cell for processing bulk uncooked french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties comprising: (a) a computer controlled dispensing station comprising a plurality of food dispensers including a french fry dispenser, a chicken nugget dispenser, a fish filet dispenser and a chicken patty dispenser, each dispenser capable of dispensing food into container means for holding a quantity of food; (b) a computer controlled cooking station comprising at least one fry vat; (c) a computer controlled robot having at least one robot arm capable of movement over an area that determines the robot work area; (d) an end of arm robot tool for said robot, said robot capable of, in conjunction with said end of arm tool, selectively engaging, disengaging and moving in said work area to desired locations while engaging said container means for holding a quantity of food from said dispensing station; (e) said dispensing station and said cooking station being located with respect to said work area so that said robot can place said container means in a food receiving position with respect to any of said plurality of food dispensers, and in a cooking position with respect to said fry vat; and (f) locator means for allowing said robot to position said container means and for retaining said container means in a desired cooking position in said fry vat.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
228 words
A fully automated robotized fry cell for processing bulk uncooked french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties comprising: (a) a computer controlled dispensing station comprising a plurality of food dispensers including a french fry dispenser, a chicken nugget dispenser, a fish filet dispenser and a chicken patty dispenser, each dispenser capable of dispensing food into container means for holding a quantity of food; (b) a computer controlled cooking station comprising at least one fry vat; (c) a computer controlled robot having at least one robot arm capable of movement over an area that determines the robot work area; (d) an end of arm robot tool for said robot, said robot capable of, in conjunction with said end of arm tool, selectively engaging, disengaging and moving in said work area to desired locations while engaging said container means for holding a quantity of food from said dispensing station; (e) said dispensing station and said cooking station being located with respect to said work area so that said robot can place said container means in a food receiving position with respect to any of said plurality of food dispensers, and in a cooking position with respect to said fry vat; and (f) locator means for allowing said robot to position said container means and for retaining said container means in a desired cooking position in said fry vat.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
74 words
The fry cell of claim 87 wherein said locator means comprises at least one upwardly projecting locator pin and a complementary engagement aperture for said locator pin, either said aperture or said pin being associated with said fry vat and the other being associated with said container means, so that when said pin is inserted within said aperture said container means is located and retained in cooking position with respect to said fry vat.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fry cell of claim 88 wherein said locator means comprises a pair of said locator pins spaced apart and a complementary pin of similarly spaced apart engagement apertures.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fry cell of claim 89 wherein said locator pins are associated with said fry vat and said engagement apertures are associated with said container means.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fry cell of claim 90 wherein said apertures are located on a gripper block secured to said container means, said gripper block being engageable by said end of arm robot tool for moving said container means to a desired location in said work area.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fully automated method of processing french fries, chicken nuggets, fish filets and chicken patties comprising utilizing the system of claim 87.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
228 words
A scheduling system for operating an automated robotized system for simultaneously handling and cooking a plurality of types of food batches which operates by a robot performing a first cycle requiring a time period A, which first cycle includes obtaining and transporting a batch of uncooked food to a cooking station and thereafter performing a second cycle requiring a time period B after the food batch has cooked for time C, and includes retrieving the cooked food batch from the cooking station and delivering the cooked food batch to a predetermined location, said scheduling system comprising: (a) memory storage means for storing the time periods A and B; (b) computer processing and scheduling means for: (i) determining the periods of time scheduled if other food batches already in progress; (ii) locating the first available time period greater or equal to time period A; (iii) determining whether an unscheduled time period greater than or equal to time period B and beginning at time C after time period A is available and if said unscheduled time period is available in said memory storage means, scheduling time period B in said period; and (iv) if no such unscheduled time period is available, said processing means locates the next available time for time period A and repeats steps (iii) and (iv) if necessary until said unscheduled time period is located and scheduled.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
228 words
A scheduling system for operating an automated robotized system for simultaneously handling and cooking a plurality of types of food batches which operates by a robot performing a first cycle requiring a time period A, which first cycle includes obtaining and transporting a batch of uncooked food to a cooking station and thereafter performing a second cycle requiring a time period B after the food batch has cooked for time C, and includes retrieving the cooked food batch from the cooking station and delivering the cooked food batch to a predetermined location, said scheduling system comprising: (a) memory storage means for storing the time periods A and B; (b) computer processing and scheduling means for: (i) determining the periods of time scheduled if other food batches already in progress; (ii) locating the first available time period greater or equal to time period A; (iii) determining whether an unscheduled time period greater than or equal to time period B and beginning at time C after time period A is available and if said unscheduled time period is available in said memory storage means, scheduling time period B in said period; and (iv) if no such unscheduled time period is available, said processing means locates the next available time for time period A and repeats steps (iii) and (iv) if necessary until said unscheduled time period is located and scheduled.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
108 words
A robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a robot having at least one arm capable of engaging, transporting and releasing a food container in an area that determines a work area; (b) at least one food dispenser for dispensing a predetermined food batch consisting of a plurality of uncooked food pieces into a moveable container means located in said work area; (c) at least one cooking station for cooking food and positioned to allow said robot to place said container means in cooking position with respect to said cooking station; and (d) receiving means adjacent said work area for receiving cooked food delivered by said robot.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
108 words
A robotized system for cooking food products comprising: (a) a robot having at least one arm capable of engaging, transporting and releasing a food container in an area that determines a work area; (b) at least one food dispenser for dispensing a predetermined food batch consisting of a plurality of uncooked food pieces into a moveable container means located in said work area; (c) at least one cooking station for cooking food and positioned to allow said robot to place said container means in cooking position with respect to said cooking station; and (d) receiving means adjacent said work area for receiving cooked food delivered by said robot.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
23 words
The robotized system of claim 1 wherein said cooking station comprises at least one fry vat for cooking food in a cooking fluid.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
17 words
The robotized system of claim 95 wherein a different food container is assigned to each cooking location.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
41 words
The robotized system of claim 94 wherein said cooking station comprises first and second fry vats and each vat has a plurality of cooking locations, each location capable of accommodating a food container for cooking the food contained in said container.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
31 words
The robotized system of claim 94 wherein said food dispenser is a french fry dispenser and said system further comprises a said second food dispenser that is a chicken nugget dispenser.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 98 further comprising a third food dispenser for dispensing fish filets.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
16 words
The robotized system of claim 99 further comprising a fourth food dispenser for dispensing chicken patties.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
18 words
The robotized system of claim 94 further comprising a storage means for cooked french fries and chicken nuggets.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
20 words
The robotized system of claim 94 wherein at least one separate container is provided for each type of uncooked food.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
22 words
The robotized system of claim 94 wherein said food dispenser is capable of dispensing a preselected amount of food into said container.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
53 words
The robotized system of claim 94 further comprising computer operating and control means for controlling and directing said robot to engage and transport said food container in sequence to and from said food dispensing station and to and from said cooking means at a frequency based on an anticipated volume of customer orders.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 104 wherein said anticipated volume of customer orders is based on stored data stored in said computer operating and control means.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 105 wherein at least part of said stored data is based on data collected on a real time basis from customer orders for that day.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 106 wherein at least a portion of said data is based on historical data.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 105 wherein said stored data contains the anticipated volume of customer orders based on food type on an hourly basis.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 104 wherein said computer operating and control means includes conflict determining means for determining whether a proposed system operation would conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food for said current or future operation.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 109 wherein said computer operating and control means includes means for determining when a proposed system operation can be started and completed without conflict with any current or future system operation already set in motion by dispensing food for said current or future operation.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 104 wherein said computer control and operating means includes memory means containing a daily plan of varying production rates as a function of time and food type.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 111 wherein said computer control means includes means for monitoring and gathering sales data based on actual sales of cooked food by type and quantity on a real time basis and means for adjusting said daily plan.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 111 wherein said computer control means further includes a short-term plan of robot and station functions.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 104 wherein said computer operating and control means controls said food dispensing station by causing said station to dispense a preselected amount of food at a desired time.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 94 further comprising locator means for allowing said robot to position said container means in cooking position with respect to said cooking station while said container means is engaged to said robot, and for retaining said container means in said desired positions when said robot disengages from said container means.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 115 wherein said locator means comprises, in conjunction with said container means, at least one upwardly projecting locator pin and a complementary engagement aperture, either said locator pin or said aperture being fixed on each of said cooking means, and the other of said locator pin and aperture being fixed on said container means.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 116 wherein said locator means comprises either a spaced apart pair of said locator pins or a pair of similarly spaced apart complementary apertures at each cooking position and the other of said pair of locator pins and pair of apertures being fixed on said container means.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 117 wherein said locator pins are fixed with respect to said cooking positions and said apertures are fixed with respect to said container 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) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |