Automated bun handling system for handling different types and numbers of buns in accordance with patron orders

Abstract

An automated bun feeding and toasting system is disclosed wherein the system is to be utilized in restaurants, particularly fast-food restaurants, in order to quickly and accurately prepare food products, such as for example, conventional hamburger sandwiches which require two buns, or Big Mac® sandwiches which require three buns, in accordance with specific patron orders. The system comprises a plurality of bun storage tubes, discharge mechanisms for discharging bun segment into a bun separator, a chute conveyor, a bun rotator, and at least one toaster appliance whereupon completion of a toasting operation, the bun segments are picked up and conveyed downstream toward a food or sandwich preparation station. All operations are automated and are under the control of a master control unit such as, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC).

Description

technical field [0001] This application relates generally to food service equipment, and more particularly to a new and improved automated bun handling and baking system that will be utilized in restaurants, especially fast food restaurants, to quickly serve buns according to specific customer orders. Accurately prepare food products such as, for example, a regular hamburger sandwich that requires two pastries, or a sandwich. Background technique [0002] Often, when preparing a specific food order, especially in fast food restaurants, food preparers must work individually or one-on-one to feed food products to be cooked, baked, etc. into specific cooking or baking appliances, And in a similar manner food products must likewise be removed individually or one-by-one from a specific cooking or baking appliance. Clearly, such food preparation, cooking or baking processes are highly inefficient, time consuming and labor intensive, especially for fast food restaurants where fa...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Clearly, such food preparation, cooking or baking processes are highly inefficient, time consuming and labor intensive, especially for fast food restaurants where fast or rapid cooking or baking food preparation times are required or desired in relatively short The production of cooked or baked food in a short serving time, which effectively defines one of the more important and attractive features of the fast food industry

Images