Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to food preparation systems and associated automated gantry systems. An example automated food preparation system may include a housing that supports one or more baskets therein and a gantry system. The gantry system may include a retrieval arm and a drive system operably coupled with the retrieval arm. The drive system may cause movement of the retrieval arm in at least two directions relative to the housing. In operation, the retrieval arm may engage a basket and cause movement of the basket about the housing. In some instances, an ejection mechanism is provided that receives the basket from the retrieval arm and causes removal of the contents of the basket.

A fryer filtration arrangement includes an oil reclamation system to reclaim used filtered cooking oil.

Food supports comprising vertical walled sleeves of both fixed and variable circumferences, and adaptable to be used standalone or to be used while disposed within a fry basket. A filter filters which filter cooking liquid while it remains within a cooking vessel. A supports is configured to contact and compress large food items. A heating apparatus is configured to allow foods to more efficiently adapt to restricted height circumstances. A cooking liquid overflow control includes a spillway and a storage reservoir. An emissions filter is configured to segregate filtered material through condensation as well as debris collection. A cooking device is configured for filtration and storage of both liquid and gaseous emissions. A user controlled power shutoff is configured to facilitate user access for quick disconnection via a magnetic plug. A full containment food support is configured to provide controlled entry and exit of fluids. A food support basket, is configured to be adaptable to immersing foods in liquids and/or suspending foods above liquids.

An automated cooking system includes a fryer with at least one fryer vat configured to hold a cooking medium, and at least one basket configured to receive and hold a food product for cooking in the cooking medium at the fryer. The cooking system further includes a basket movement device including a basket support for engaging the at least one basket. The basket movement device is configured to move the at least one basket into and out of the cooking medium. Further, the basket movement device includes a retention clip to releasably secure the at least one basket to the basket support. The cooking system includes a vision system and a visual indicator system to help, with the basket movement device, automate workflow decisions and management at the fryer. A method of cooking food products and a method for managing basket workflow with/at an automated cooking system are also provided.

A robotic kitchen system for preparing food items in combination with at least one kitchen appliance such as a fryer comprises an automated bin assembly, a robotic arm, and a basket held by the robotic arm. The automated bin assembly comprises at least one automated bin for holding the food items. A camera or sensor array collects image data of the food items in the bin(s). A central processor is operable to compute and provide directions to the first robotic arm and automated bin assembly based on the image data and stored data to (a) move the robotic arm to the bin; (b) actuate the bin to drop the food items from the bin into the basket; (c) and to move the basket into the fryer all without human interaction. Related methods are also described.

An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. The basket and gantry include interface elements for enabling precise movements and rapid opening and closing of baskets at the system. Aspects of an automated cooking system and a corresponding method for discharging cooked food product help to avoid the problems associated with manually operating a cooking system. Specifically, the system described herein provides for apparatuses and methods to cook and dispense food product in a more efficient manner with regard to both time and labor considerations within food production environments.

A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer) includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.

A cooking system providing eight different cooking methods through one cooking device is provided. The cooking device has a plurality of walls forming an enclosure space therein, wherein the enclosure space is accessible by an opening. The lower portion of the cooking device has adjustable heating elements for enabling the enclosure space to be used as a boiler pot, steamer pot or low heat simmer stew pot. The enclosure space is also adapted to removably, separately and operably retain a charcoal liner, a deep fryer basket, or a Cajun microwave, thereby embodying a method for providing at least eight different cooking methods through the cooking device.

The present invention relates to an automatic frying machine comprising: a frying process part having divided spaces, wherein a plurality of module-type process units which carry out each of predetermined frying processes are detachably disposed in the divided spaces; and a transfer part which is in communication with the plurality of process units of the frying process part and which carries a basket having frying materials in and out of the plurality of process units and moves the basket, wherein the transfer part comprises: a basket which carries the frying material in and out through an opening formed on the plurality of process units; a transfer unit which raises and lowers the basket and slides it back and forth; and a horizontal moving part which moves the transfer unit horizontally.

Example robotic food preparation systems for integration with a cooking device may comprise one or more attachment panels having attachment location(s) for rigidly physically attaching to the cooking device. A rail may be attached to the one or more attachment panels, and may be positioned to extend laterally across a front-facing surface of the cooking device when the one or more attachment panels are physically attached to the cooking device. The system also includes a carriage positioned on the rail to slidably engage along the lateral extension of the rail and includes a locator to fix a first position of the carriage along the lateral extension of the rail. The system may also include a robotic arm supported by the carriage, wherein, when the carriage is fixed at the first position, the robotic arm is positioned relative to the cooking device to interact with the cooking device to cook food items.