A toaster includes first and second conveyors configured to each receive a bread product thereon and move the bread product through respective first and second toasting zones. A first heat source is positioned to direct heat energy into the first toasting zone. A second heat source is positioned to direct heat energy into the second toasting zone. The first and second conveyors are coplanar and laterally spaced apart by a first distance and are configured to operate in a same direction of travel. Interior extents of the first heat source and the second heat source are laterally spaced apart by a second distance.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

A system for automatically folding a box for fast food delivery is disclosed. The system includes a wall, a track within the wall, a conveyer channel located adjacent to the wall. The panels are initially arranged within the channel, so a first panel is positioned above and in front of the second panel. The panels will move in a series of five positions. The first position having the first panel and second panel adjacent to one another. The second position shifting the second panel downward to a height lower than the first. The third position moving the first panel so that it is substantially vertical creating an angle near 90 degrees between the first and second panel. The fourth position returning the first panel proximate to its original position. And a fifth position having a portion of the first panel extended over the second panel.

A conveyor belt link that can form a substantially flat, continuous conveyor belt surface when coupled with multiple, identical conveyor belt links. In one embodiment, the conveyor belt link for a conveyor belt assembly comprises a base for carrying an item, the base having a first end, a second end, a first linking member projecting from the base, and a second linking member projecting from the base. The first end of the base terminates at a first angle (relative to a horizontal axis), the second end terminates at a second angle (relative to the horizontal axis), and the first and second angles of the ends are substantially supplementary. The first linking member comprises one of a cylinder and a channel and the second linking member comprises the other of the cylinder and the channel.

In one aspect, a cooking device includes independently controllable cooking zones. In one aspect, a cooking device includes a first cooking zone with heated air configured to move horizontally there through in a first direction and a second cooking zone with heated air configured to move horizontally there through in a second direction different than the first direction. In one aspect, the first and second directions are opposite directions. In one aspect, the heated air flows from one side of the cooking device.

A cooking apparatus having a conveyor system having a continuous cooking surface and a dispenser disposed proximate the continuous cooking surface. The cooking apparatus also having a guide disposed between the dispenser and the continuous surface to guide food product released from dispenser to the continuous cooking surface; and at least one platen proximate the cooking surface to cook the food product. A method of cooking using a cooking apparatus by dispensing a food product from a food dispenser and receiving the food product onto a continuous cooking surface and moving the cooking surface between a first platen and a second platen to cook the food product. The conveyor mechanism is indexed to move at a same rate as said food dispenser and indexes the appropriate distance to convey the food product to a position centered beneath upper cooking platen.

In one aspect, a spiral cooking device includes a first cooking zone with air configured to move horizontally therethrough in a first direction, a second cooking zone with air configured to move horizontally therethrough in a second direction different than the first direction, and a spiral conveyor belt at least partially positioned in the first and second cooking zones and configured to transport food product thereon through the first and second cooking zones. In one aspect, a spiral cooking device includes a spiral conveyor belt providing a central opening inside the belt and a conveyor belt drive member positioned externally of the central opening. In one aspect, a conveyor belt cleaning device is provided. In one aspect, a cooking device includes a frame including a plurality of coupled pipes for providing structural support to the device and at least one of the pipes is configured to have liquid pass therethrough.

A heat transfer system for cooking a food product is provided. The heat transfer system includes an enclosure, heat sources within the enclosure operate to output heat for a cooking process, at least one conveyor positioned relative to the cooking heat elements, and a warming assembly. The warming assembly is configured to receive at least one pan configured to store cooked food product. The warming assembly defines an controlled environment about the at least one pan. A blocking element defines an opening through the enclosure into the controlled environment of the warming assembly.

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing foodstuffs accommodated in a vessel (2), the apparatus including a steam-generating unit arranged in a housing (3) and intended for generating steam, a steam-feeding unit (4) connected to the steam-generating unit in a steam-conducting manner via a steam-supply line and having a steam probe (6) containing at least one steam-discharging opening, and a linear drive having a drive train (17) with an electric motor (18) and by means of which a carriage (10), which carries the steam-feeding unit (4) or a vessel holder (7), is adjusted in translatory fashion relative to the housing (3), wherein an overload clutch (28) is integrated in the drive train (17), between the electric motor (18) and a belt drive (13), in the form of a toothed belt drive, for adjusting the carriage (10).

Food orders are divided into components or tasks. Systems and methods of food order preparation communicate instructions for automated actions to devices to carry out the automated actions. A toaster operates to toast a bun according to toaster settings. A bun magazine operates to deliver a bun into the toaster. A condiment dispenser receives the bun from the toaster and operates to dispense at least one portion of at least one condiment onto the bun.