Restaurant Technology Inc.

Gregory A Lawrence

David W Carroll

Robert L Cahlander

Brian R Rudesill

Alfred C Hollingsworth

John O Reinertsen

Joseph C Boetto

A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Food dispenser, dispenser container and method

Prod dispenser, dispenser container and method

A food transferring fixture is disclosed which can be used to transfer food items from one food preparation area to another. The fixture includes a hoop for surrounding items to be transferred and a spatula for scooping, supporting or depositing the items to be transferred. The hoop and spatula are mounted to a horizontally extendable frame for moving the spatula relative to the hoop. In other embodiments, one or more hoops and spatulas having a plurality of apertures arranged in a horizontal planar array are used to deposit food items in the array pattern and retrieve the items in the same pattern. After processing in some embodiments, a removably attached second subassembly may be used to transfer uncooked food to a cooking station. The uncooked food subassembly is then removed, and a first cooked food subassembly then retrieves the cooked food items. Additionally, a method for transporting food items which incorporates many of the above-listed features is also provided.

Food transport fixture and method

Automated food frying machine

A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations.

Food dispenser and method

A portioning dispenser for dispensing food items from bulk item containers is disclosed in which the dispenser can open and empty a bulk container and dispense a portion of its contents. In one embodiment, a container can be slit open and tipped on a pivotable platform to spill its contents to a feeder for further distribution while retaining a stack of unopened boxes thereabove. In some embodiments, the dispenser can discard an emptied container and replace it with an unopened container moved from a container hopper. In other embodiments, a vibrating feeder is used to shake emptied items into a transfer tray for weighing and dispensing. Additionally, a method for dispensing portions of bulk food items from bulk containers is disclosed which employs several of the steps mentioned above.

Growing community of inventors

Red Wing, MN, United States of America

Gregory A Lawrence