A robotic processing system and method are disclosed for processing materials using a series of containers stored in an automated storage and picking system. Each of the containers performs a specific function on the materials stored therein. The materials are passed from bin to bin via a suitable dispensing and transferring system. For example, a system is disclosed for delivering ingredients to a micro-brewery, as are methods for brewing small or test batches of beer according to customers' individual requirements.

The present invention is directed at coatings for oven bake clay that when applied make the surface of the resulting object food safe. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the coating may contain one or more food safe plastics that may be in particle form and may form suspensions or colloids when mixed with water, food safe oil or other food safe liquids to ease application. Among the many potential additional ingredients contemplated, the coating may contain one or more surfactants to improve the formation of a suspension or colloid or one or more food safe dyes so that the oven bake clay can be painted. Among the many methods of making the coating contemplated, the components may be mixed to form a suspension or colloid through one or more of agitation, stirring or sonication. It is further contemplated that the coating may be applied to an unbaked oven bake clay object and then baked or alternatively applied to a baked oven bake clay object and then re-baked.

A baking plate for a baking oven for producing baked products such as soft waffles, crispy wafers, pancakes and the like. The baking plate has a carrier plate and one or more baking inserts disposed thereon, which are configured for receiving the batter to be baked. The baking inserts are formed from sintered ceramic that are very sturdy and tough and have low thermal expansion.

A multi cavity oven provides improved cavity and jet plate cleaning by directing pressurized cleaning spray into the jet plates while installed within the oven through cleaning spray inlet ports in the walls of the removable jet plates. By directing cleaning spray directly into the interior of the jet plates, cooking juices that fall through the slots and openings and into the air passageway of the jet plates can be pressure cleaned and drained from the interior of the jet plates without removing the jet plates from the oven cavity.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

A cooking utensil for reducing the friction between a food contact surface and any food positioned thereon through vibrations to allow the food to more easily be transferred therefrom. The cooking utensil has a food contact member and a handle coupled to the food contact member. An actuator is coupled to the food contact member. A power supply is selectively electrically coupled to the actuator through a switch. When the switch is in a first position, the switch electrically decouples the power supply from the actuator. When the switch is in a second position, the switch electrically couples the power supply to the actuator to activate the actuator and jostling or vibrating the food contact member to reduce the higher static friction to the lower kinetic friction between the food contact member and the food.

Pizza ingredient dispensing devices, pizza making apparatuses, and pizza franchise systems are disclosed. The pizza making devices can include computers and pizza ingredient dispensing devices or modules. Each pizza ingredient dispensing devices or module can have a compact design that allows an operator to quickly make high-quality customized pizzas in a relatively small physical space. The small footprint of the equipment allows a pizza franchise to occupy a relatively small kitchen area, which can reduce rent and other operating costs.

Pizza ingredient dispensing devices, pizza making apparatuses, and pizza franchise systems are disclosed. The pizza making devices can include computers and pizza ingredient dispensing devices or modules. Each pizza ingredient dispensing devices or module can have a compact design that allows an operator to quickly make high-quality customized pizzas in a relatively small physical space. The small footprint of the equipment allows a pizza franchise to occupy a relatively small kitchen area, which can reduce rent and other operating costs.

The present invention relates to a pizza peel with two ergonomic handles designed for dual-hand use. The ergonomic handles allow the pizza peel to be gripped from the front or sides, depending on user preference. The pizza peel features a beveled edge for easy insertion under pizza dough or baked pizzas and includes etched grooves on its surface, enabling even slicing directly on the peel.