The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 17, 2002
Jeffrey L. Sands, Freeport, IL (US);
James D. Conlin, South Beloit, IL (US);
Thomas J. Franken, Roscoe, IL (US);
Andrew Paul Franklin, Beloit, WI (US);
Randy L. Ginner, Beloit, WI (US);
Ronald J. Glavan, Rockton, IL (US);
Scott A. Glawe, Roscoe, IL (US);
David A. Hill, Beloit, WI (US);
Michael J. Newberry, Poplar Grove, IL (US);
Jack Pellicane, Wyomissing, PA (US);
Manuel Calzada, Rolling Meadows, IL (US);
Henry Thomas Ewald, Roselle, IL (US);
Jeffrey L. Sands, Freeport, IL (US);
James D. Conlin, South Beloit, IL (US);
Thomas J. Franken, Roscoe, IL (US);
Andrew Paul Franklin, Beloit, WI (US);
Randy L. Ginner, Beloit, WI (US);
Ronald J. Glavan, Rockton, IL (US);
Scott A. Glawe, Roscoe, IL (US);
David A. Hill, Beloit, WI (US);
Michael J. Newberry, Poplar Grove, IL (US);
Jack Pellicane, Wyomissing, PA (US);
Manuel Calzada, Rolling Meadows, IL (US);
Henry Thomas Ewald, Roselle, IL (US);
Carrier Commerical Refrigeration, Inc., Syracuse, NY (US);
McDonald's Corporation, Oakbrook, IL (US);
Abstract
An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.