Patent Application
20210030048
This invention relates to a food grade feeder device and system. Particularly it relates to a food grade conveyor, placement and feeder device and system for placing rolls, egg, meat, or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer. The present disclosure relates generally to the preparation of food products and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to preparing sandwiches. It also relates to a sandwich preparation apparatus or food handling system that incorporates a system that automates the process. The present invention relates to a clean product aligning device made of food grade materials that are easily cleanable and able to be washed in hot water and steam. This invention relates to an apparatus for the assembling of a biscuit or roll sandwich with the addition of egg, meat or protein patties, cheese and other condiments and foodstuffs. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for the faster, more compact assembling of roll or biscuit sandwiches ready for packaging by using a singulating system that significantly reduces time, labor, and waste while increasing productivity, quality and freshness. Although unconfirmed, the system may also be used to aid in packaging, for instance, food, medical, pharmaceutical and military special handling products.
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As far as known, there are no food grade feeder device and system for a food grade feeder device and system for placing rolls, egg, meat, or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich. It is believed that this product is unique in its design and technologies.
This background as to food machinery for fast processing should be useful. A significant portion of the cost of manufacturing certain food products results from the labor cost in handling such products during manufacturing and/or packaging. Conventional hamburgers have a meat patty in a bun along with various condiments and sauces. A variety of other types of hamburgers and sandwiches have recently become popular and are in high demand at food outlets. These include, for example, such items as the teriyaki burger (adding teriyaki sauce to a conventional hamburger), bacon and lettuce burgers, cheeseburgers with different types of cheeses, barbecue sauce burgers, fish sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, and roast beef sandwiches. New types and kinds of products are being introduced regularly. The words “hamburger” and “sandwich” are interchangeably used in this specification unless otherwise specified. One sees that a demand for increased productivity has arisen because of an increase in the number of consumers and increasingly diversified tastes.
Most of the food preparation has been manually performed. Each section for the preparation is independent of the others. Conventional kitchen productivity has been examined, analyzed, and improved many times, and it is difficult to make more improvements. An automated hamburger fixing apparatus has been developed to increase efficiency and reduce the required manual labor. Some of the apparatuses use a feeding and adding mechanism for each different element, condiment or sauce. The application of this type of an apparatus is very limited due to the large/long footprint and amount of space required for the feeding and adding of multiple mechanisms. Changes are unwieldy due to the need to add another feeding and adding mechanism every time a new sauce or condiment is added to the menu. In addition, the control system of the machine must be modified every time a change for feeding another condiment is made. Further, it is impossible to install such a long and complex apparatus in a small conventional kitchen or even a larger food preparation area.
In some other industries, various parts or products are placed into packets or pouches for health, sterile, convenience or protective reasons. These are then placed in large quantity boxes or other containers for ultimate delivery to the consumer or customer. Currently, placement of the food or other packets into the boxes or other shipping containers is done by hand, which is labor intensive and time consuming. Centrifugal precision feeders can be developed to aid in this process, but they must be manufactured from a food grade material. The materials or food stuff can be then placed on the flexible, cleanable inner disc and are transferred from the inner disc to sorting mechanism and eventually fed to a next station. The use of a food grade centrifugal feeder system can remove the skewed orientation which traditionally has prevented rapid packaging of the material or the packages before they are placed in the shipping containers.
Necessarily, equipment is needed for the efficient packaging of the food product. Quite often the equipment must be individually designed and built for the intended food product to be packaged. The equipment must be capable of receiving food in bulk, separating or segregating it to desired serving sizes and packaging it. The equipment must be capable of handling large amounts of the raw food product in a very fast manner to work efficiently and competitively with manual packaging operations. One food product which is becoming more popular in package form are sandwiches. Hamburger and sausage sandwiches are quite common; however, they typically are not assembled by the food processor and packaged as a complete product ready for consumption. One reason for this is the lack of equipment to efficiently handle bread, buns or biscuits and combine them with a pre-cooked meat patty or fillet in sandwich form.
What is desired therefore is an apparatus with a compact footprint, the apparatus being capable of automating at least part of the sandwich-making process in a consistent, reliable manner. Desired is a method and system for making sandwiches using a singulating system that significantly reduces time, labor, and waste while increasing productivity, quality and freshness.
The improvement and problem solved is a fast and efficient manner for food processing of sandwiches accomplished by the food grade feeder device and system for rolls, sandwiches, odd shaped edibles and foodstuff. The system is a fast, precise, clean and compact way to align and position food products such as rolls, mead, produce and garnishments in way to reduce time and labor as well as fit into smaller locations and foot prints as compared to other conveyor and manual sandwich-making systems. The invention overcomes a long-sought need of the food preparation industry that feeds millions at fast food restaurants, convenient marts, coffee houses and other “food on the go” companies.
A novelty search was completed for the food grade feeder device and system for rolls, sandwiches, odd shaped edibles and foodstuff. It revealed the following:
As can be observed, none of the prior art has anticipated or caused one skilled in the food processing and preparation art to see this invention as obvious to one skilled in the industry. The food grade feeder device and singulating system for placing rolls, egg, meat or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer provides an answer to a clean, compact and fast manner to organized, align and singularly foodstuffs such as rolls, buns, meats and other food in a compact and efficient manner.
This invention is a method and system for making sandwiches using a singulating system that significantly reduces time, labor, and waste while increasing productivity, quality and freshness. This the preferred embodiment of this system is comprised of: (a) bulk feeding specific food items (egg, meat or protein patties, possibly cheese and/or other food items) through a food grade centrifugal feed system; (b) placing or sliding the food items with a chain driven pick and place or slide and place device; thus (c) transferring over food items to two separate servo driven trains; (d) placing of pattie into/onto sliced bun by automatic and/or manual means; (e) wrapping of completed sandwich if desired; and, (h) placing on serving or transfer tray, box or container. Indeed, this combination of devices in specific process steps has been found advantageous in providing the desired apparatus and/or method for making sandwiches. The preferred embodiment of the system for the food grade feeder device anticipates: A food grade feeder device and system comprised of: (a) an egg, meat or protein centrifugal feeder; (b) an optional roll, biscuit, or bun centrifugal feeder; (c) a biscuit conveyor and a roll and pattie gathering conveyor with a transfer rail to deflect roll and patties from biscuit conveyor to gathering conveyor and with multiple guide rails; (d) a pair of servo drive chains to turn patties or other foodstuffs/items, the pair of servo drive chains further comprising a pair of motors and gear drives, a chain, and a set of pockets on drive chain; (e) a slider rail between servo drive; (f) a placement device of the pattie into a sliced bun; and (g) an optional pack out tray, box, or gathering device wherein the food grade system for placing egg, meat and/or protein patties onto rolls/biscuits and assembling a sandwich and an optional person attending sandwich assembly are able to efficiently and quickly assembly sandwiches in a relatively small workplace and floor space.
There are several objects and advantages of the food grade feeder device and system called a Patty Placer. These various advantages and benefits include:
Finally, other advantages and additional features of the present food grade feeder device and singulating system to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the full description of the device. For one skilled in the art of fast food preparation and food preparation, it is readily understood that the features shown in the examples with this product are readily adapted to other types of compact and fast food processing equipment and tools.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the food grade feeder device and system to assemble and prepare a sandwich. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below explain the principles of the A Food grade feeder device and system called a Patty Placer. It is understood, however, that the feeding device and system is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The following list refers to the drawings:
This invention relates to a food grade feeder device and singulating system. Particularly it relates to a food grade conveyor, placement and feeder device and system for placing rolls, egg, meat, or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer. The present disclosure relates generally to the preparation of food products and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to preparing sandwiches. It also relates to a sandwich preparation apparatus or food handling system that incorporates a system that automates the process. The present invention relates to a clean product aligning device made of food grade materials that are easily cleanable and able to be washed in hot water and steam. This invention relates to an apparatus for the assembling of a biscuit or roll sandwich with the addition of egg, meat or protein patties, cheese and other condiments and foodstuffs. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for the faster, more compact assembling of roll or biscuit sandwiches ready for packaging by using a singulating system that significantly reduces time, labor, and waste while increasing productivity, quality and freshness. Although unconfirmed, the system may also be used to aid in packaging, for instance, food, medical, pharmaceutical and military special handling products.
The advantages for the food grade feeder device and system to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer 30 for placing rolls, egg, meat and protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs. Succinctly the benefits are that the device and system:
This invention is a method and system for making sandwiches using a singulating system that significantly reduces time, labor, and waste while increasing productivity, quality and freshness. This the preferred embodiment of the process for the system is comprised of: (a) bulk feeding specific food items (egg, meat or protein patties, eggs, possibly cheese and/or sliced tomatoes and other food items) through a food grade centrifugal feed system; (b) placing or sliding the food items with a chain driven pick and place or slide and place device; thus (c) transferring over food items to two separate servo driven trains; (d) placing pattie into sliced bun items by automatic and/or manual means; (e) wrapping of completed sandwich, if desired, and (f) placing on serving or transfer tray, box or container. The preferred embodiment of the system for the food grade feeder device anticipates: A food grade feeder device and system 30 comprised of: (a) an egg, meat or protein centrifugal feeder 40; (b) an optional roll, biscuit, or bun centrifugal feeder 45; (c) a biscuit conveyor 50 and a roll 72 and pattie 70 gathering conveyor 55 with a transfer rail 55 to deflect roll 72 and patties 70 from biscuit conveyor 50 to gathering conveyor 55 and with multiple guide rails 57; (d) a pair of servo drive chains 60A,60B to turn patties 70 or other foodstuffs/items, the pair of servo drive chains 60A,60B further comprising a pair of motors and gear drives 62, a chain 63, and a set of pockets 64 on drive chain 63; (e) a slider rail 65 between servo drive 60A,60B; (f) a placement device 66 of the pattie into a sliced bun; and (g) a pack out tray, box, or gathering device 85 wherein the food grade system 30 for placing an egg, meat and/or protein patties 70 onto rolls/biscuits 72 and assembling a sandwich 74 and a person 90 attending and finishing the sandwich assembly is able to efficiently and quickly assembly sandwiches in a relatively small workplace and floor space.
There is shown in
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the food grade feeder device and system food grade feeder device and singulating system 30 for placing rolls, egg, meat, or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below explain the principles of the food grade feeder device and singulating system 30. It is understood, however, that the device 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of food placing and assembling machines and systems for preparing sandwiches and their uses are still understood by one skilled in the art of food feeding equipment and devices to be within the scope and spirit shown here.
The anticipated durable materials for the food grade feeder device and system 30 for placing rolls, egg, meat or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer include: for the part contact surfaces—an Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Plastic Disc, a 304 Stainless Steel Tooling ring, a FDA approved Acetal Resin belt material or equal for each conveyor, a 304 Stainless Steel Reorientation Cam, a 304 Stainless Steel Height Qualifier, Frame Construction—a 304 Stainless Steel Tubing with wash down casters and docking station. All are washable with hot water and commercial/industrial soaps for food preparation and all can resist extreme hot water and steam sprays for quasi sterilization. Sizes and construction details anticipated are wash down motor/gearbox w/common part numbers; all bearings to be sealed and greasable with Zerk fittings and pointing outwardly for access; and, a drive pulley to be of a griptwist material or equal. As durable and high temperature composite materials are developed, it is anticipated they can replace some of the Stainless-Steel components.
The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a food grade feeder device and system 30 to assemble and prepare a sandwiches can be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of the art of food feeding equipment and their uses well appreciates.
The food grade feeder device and system 30 food to assemble and prepare a sandwich Placer by placing rolls, egg, meat, or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs and called a Patty has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the new food assembly device and singulating system 30.
The preferred embodiment of a process for the food grade feeder device is a method and system for making sandwiches using a singulating system that significantly reduces time, labor, and waste while increasing productivity, quality and freshness. This process is comprised of: (a) bulk feeding specific food items (egg, meat or protein patties, eggs, possibly cheese and/or sliced tomatoes and other food items) through a food grade centrifugal feed system; (b) placing or sliding the food items with a chain driven pick and place or slide and place device; thus (c) transferring over food items to two separate servo driven trains; (d) placing pattie into sliced bun by automatic and/or manual means; (e) wrapping of completed sandwich if desired and (f) placing on serving or transfer tray, box or container.
The preferred embodiment of the system for the food grade feeder device anticipates: A food grade feeder device and singulating system 30 comprised of: (a) an egg, meat or protein centrifugal feeder 40; (b) an optional roll, biscuit, or bun centrifugal feeder 45; (c) a biscuit conveyor 50 and a roll 72 and pattie 70 gathering conveyor 55 with a transfer rail 55 to deflect sliced roll 72 and patties 70 from biscuit conveyor 50 to gathering conveyor 55 and with multiple guide rails 57; (d) a pair of servo drive chains 60A,60B to turn patties 70 or other foodstuffs/items, the pair of servo drive chains 60A,60B further comprising a pair of motors and gear drives 62, a chain 63, and a set of pockets 64 on drive chain 63; (e) a slider rail 65 between servo drive 60A,60B; (f) a placement device 66 of the pattie into a sliced bun, and (g) a pack out tray, box, or gathering device 85 wherein the food grade system 30 for placing egg, meat, and protein patties 70 onto rolls/biscuits 72 and assembling a sandwich 74 and a person 90 attending and finishing sandwich assembly is able to efficiently and quickly assembly sandwiches in a relatively small workplace and floor space.
An overview of the feeding system theory of operation for the food grade feeder device and system to assemble and prepare a sandwich is generally as follows:
The process for singulating and placing rolls, egg, meat or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich, the process using a food grade feeder and system and comprised of:
Many different uses are anticipated for the food feeder and system 30. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.
With this description it is to be understood that the food grade feeder device and system 30 to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the present invention 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.
Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. Various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the disclosed embodiments described above.
The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional patent application with Ser. No. 62/882,460 filed on Aug. 2, 2019, by Greg Schombert and entitled “A food grade feeder device and system for placing rolls, egg, meat, or protein patties, and/or cheese and other foodstuffs to assemble and prepare a sandwich called a Patty Placer”.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62882460 | Aug 2019 | US |
