An infrared source is arranged relative to support for bread product and operates to direct IR energy to the bread product. A light source is arranged relative to the support and operates to illuminate the bread product and a camera operates to capture images of the bread product. A processor receives the images from the camera. The processor compares successive images received from the camera. Based upon the comparison, the processor operates the IR source to achieve a predetermined toasting level of the bread product.

A cooking system positionable on a support surface includes a housing having an internal cooking compartment and an opening formed in the housing for accessing said internal cooking compartment. At least one heating element is provided for heating said internal cooking compartment. The heating element is operable to heat the internal cooking compartment while the opening is at least partially exposed to an ambient environment to allow fluid transfer between the ambient environment and the internal cooking compartment. An output from said at least one heating element is variable across said internal cooking compartment during operation of the system.

A sandwich press or food holder for use with a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven. Sidewalls of the press that define a space in which a food item is received can have one or more ridges that define a convex surface inside the cavity and a concave surface on an exterior of the sidewall. The concave surface can be positioned adjacent a heating element when the press is received in a cooking cavity of the appliance. One or more openings can be provided in the sidewall, e.g., to allow radiant energy to pass and/or steam to escape. A handle can permit two-handed manipulation of the press and can have a gripping portion that is offset from an area directly above the press.

An infrared source is arranged relative to support for bread product and operates to direct IR energy to the bread product. A light source is arranged relative to the support and operates to illuminate the bread product and a camera operates to capture images of the bread product. A processor receives the images from the camera. The processor compares successive images received from the camera. Based upon the comparison, the processor operates the IR source to achieve a predetermined toasting level of the bread product.

A contact toaster includes a vertically arranged central platen with a first toasting surface that is contoured and a second toasting surface. A heating element is configured to heat the first and second toasting surfaces. A first compression plate is spaced apart from the first toasting surface to define a first slot between the first compression plate and the first toasting surface. A second compression plate spaced apart from the second toasting surface to define a second slot between the second compression plate and the second toasting surface. The first compression plate and the second compression plate are selectively movable from respective first positions away from the central platen to respective second positions proximate to the central platen.

A bun separator separates pre-sliced buns into portions. A bun feeder receives a pre-sliced bun having a plurality of portions and moves the pre-sliced bun along a first feed path. An obstruction is arranged relative to the first feed path and engages at least one portion of the plurality of portions of the pre-sliced bun. An actuator operates to selectively engage at least one portion of the plurality of portions of the pre-sliced bun against the obstruction to separate the least one portion of the pre-sliced bun and transfer the at least one portion to a second feed path.

The invention belongs to the field of kitchen electronic appliances, more specifically speaking food toasters. The invention shows a bread and tortillas toaster with a leaning angle that can vary from a rank between 45° and 89° with respect to a horizontal base (11), such leaning helps to distribute a portion of the weight of at least one tortilla (14) on an inferior grid (16). The bread slices or tortillas (14) rest on a main support base (20) with curved tabs that assemble a “V” shape (21) on the side of the inferior grid (16) and straight tabs (21′) on the side of the superior grid (17). The curved tabs (21) can guide, thanks to their curved shape, the circumference of the tortilla to avoid folding or breaking. The food item is pressed between the grids (16) (17) putting the inferior axis together (22) (22′) and then the superior axis (23) (23′) of both grids keeping a soft and thin food item from folding.

A baked goods handling system includes a holding cabinet operable to create a controlled environment therein. A dispenser receives a baked good from the holding cabinet and directs the baked good away from the holding cabinet. A treatment device receives the baked good from the dispenser to perform a treatment on the baked good.

Systems and methods of bun holding and toasting use a bun dispenser and a toaster. The bun dispenser includes a bun holding cabinet in which a plurality of buns are held on shelves and each of the shelves include conveyors. A shuttle of the bun dispenser translates within at least one axis to align the shuttle with a shelf to receive a bun. A dispensing shelf of the bun dispenser receives the bun from the shuttle. A toaster receives the bun from the dispensing shelf and operates to toast the bun and dispense the toasted bun at a predetermined location.

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).