A food preparation apparatus includes a cooker assembly, a food delivery mechanism, a food release mechanism, a food removal mechanism, and a food transport mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a first arm and a food vessel mounted to the first arm. The food vessel is configured to deposit a food item onto the cooker assembly. The food release mechanism includes a second arm that is movable between a first position spaced apart from the cooking station and a second position adjacent to a location at which the food vessel deposits the food item onto the cooking station. The food removal mechanism includes a third arm and a set of wipers. The food transport mechanism includes a spatula. The food removal mechanism and the food transport mechanism cooperate to remove the food item from the cooker assembly and transport the food item to a desired location.

In an embodiment, a method for handling an order includes determining a plurality of ingredients based on an order, received from a user over a network, for a location having a plurality of robots. The method further includes planning at least one trajectory for at least one robot based on the plurality of ingredients and utensils available at the location, and proximity of each ingredient and utensil to the at least one robot. Each trajectory can be configured to move one of the plurality of ingredients into a container associated with the order. In an embodiment, the method includes executing the at least one trajectory by the at least one robot to fulfill the order. In an embodiment, the method includes moving the container to a pickup area.

The present invention provides an automatic cocktail making device including a clamping device connected to a mechanical arm, and a shaker body being connected to the clamping device. The clamping device is provided with a linear driving device, and an output end of the linear driving device is connected to a strainer lid by means of a connecting member, to drive the strainer lid to cover or move away from an opening of the shaker body. The automatic cocktail making device further includes a fixedly mounted cap hanging device. The cap is detachably connected to the cap hanging device, and the cap and the strainer lid are detachably connected to each other. The present invention has the following advantages: by providing the fixedly mounted cap hanging device, automatic, sealed and detachable connection between the cap and the strainer lid is achieved, and the linear driving device assists to drive the strainer lid to cover the shaker body, thereby improving the sealing performance and automation degree of the whole cocktail making device.

The subject matter discloses an autonomous system for preparing food products located in a housing, the system comprising multiple ingredients tanks for storing ingredients of food products and cooking equipment for preparing food products using the ingredients stored in the ingredients tanks. The system also comprises a computerized unit, that collects orders for the food products, stores operations for preparing the food products included in the orders from the ingredients and sending commands to the cooking equipment to prepare the food products included in the orders. The system also comprises a delivery preparation system for preparing the prepared food product for delivery and collection compartments for storing the prepared food products included in the orders. The collection compartments comprise an identifier accessed from outside the housing.

The subject matter discloses an autonomous system for preparing food products located in a housing, the system comprising multiple ingredients tanks for storing ingredients of food products and cooking equipment for preparing food products using the ingredients stored in the ingredients tanks. The system also comprises a computerized unit, that collects orders for the food products, stores operations for preparing the food products included in the orders from the ingredients and sending commands to the cooking equipment to prepare the food products included in the orders. The system also comprises a delivery preparation system for preparing the prepared food product for delivery and collection compartments for storing the prepared food products included in the orders. The collection compartments comprise an identifier accessed from outside the housing.

A cooking system comprises: a cooking container; a stirring motion mechanism configured to produce a motion in the cooking container as to stir, mix or distribute the food or food ingredients held in the cooking container; ingredient containers to contain food ingredients; an dispensing apparatus to turn an ingredient container to dispense the food ingredients from the ingredient container to the cooking container; a transfer apparatus to transfer an ingredient container; food containers to hold cooked foods; a cooking container unloading mechanism to turn the cooking container to dispense cooked food from the cooking container to a food container; a receiving apparatus to hold food containers; a transfer apparatus to transfer a food container; a cyclic transport apparatus configured to transport food containers; a lid; and, a cleaning apparatus to clean the cooking container.

A cooking system comprises: a cooking container; a stirring motion mechanism configured to produce a motion in the cooking container as to stir, mix or distribute the food or food ingredients held in the cooking container; ingredient containers to contain food ingredients; an dispensing apparatus to turn an ingredient container to dispense the food ingredients from the ingredient container to the cooking container; a transfer apparatus to transfer an ingredient container; food containers to hold cooked foods; a cooking container unloading mechanism to turn the cooking container to dispense cooked food from the cooking container to a food container; a receiving apparatus to hold food containers; a transfer apparatus to transfer a food container; a cyclic transport apparatus configured to transport food containers; a lid; and, a cleaning apparatus to clean the cooking container.

A method includes inserting a food item into an inner volume of a thermal container. A liquid circulating through a liquid jacket at least partially surrounding and fluidically isolated from the inner volume of the thermal container is cooled such that thermal energy from the food item is transferred to the cooled liquid. After the cooling, thermal energy from a first heating element is transferred to the liquid circulating through the liquid jacket such that thermal energy from the heated liquid is transferred to the food item. Thermal energy from a second heating element is transferred to the food item in response to a criterion being satisfied. The second heating element is different from the first heating element and is disposed in the inner volume of the thermal container.

An automated food storage, preparation and dispensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a plurality of food compartment units, a plurality of utensil compartment units, a dispensing unit for dispensing food, a refrigeration unit, a cooking united for cooking food material, a packaging unit for packaging the cooked food material, a food collection unit, a memory unit for information storage, a processor coupled to the memory unit, a touch screen display. The device is configured to receive information and commends over a communication network.

An automated food storage, preparation and dispensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a plurality of food compartment units, a plurality of utensil compartment units, a dispensing unit for dispensing food, a refrigeration unit, a cooking united for cooking food material, a packaging unit for packaging the cooked food material, a food collection unit, a memory unit for information storage, a processor coupled to the memory unit, a touch screen display. The device is configured to receive information and commends over a communication network.