An assembly line technique is described in which food items with a deposited layer of smear prior to baking can be cut and segregated into small pieces. The food pieces are deposited randomly into an ovenable serving container in such a way as to reduce contact between the smear coated surface(s) of the food pieces. This results in a pull-apart food product that can be rapidly microwave heated in the container and served in the container.

Technologies are generally described for delivery vehicles and containers for en route food product preparation. Modular food product preparation systems that may receive food items and supplies and prepare food product(s) en route such that the food product(s) is prepared by the time the system reaches a delivery destination may include trucks, railway cars, watercraft, and similar vehicles. Food preparation process steps and timing may be determined based on travel information (e.g., delivery destination, routes, etc.), as well as, food item and food product information. An on-board controller may determine the process steps and timing(s) and control operations of robotic devices arranged modularly in a container or vehicle to execute steps of the food preparation process. Alternatively or additionally, the on-board controller may receive instructions from a remote controller. Travel parameters of the vehicle may also be adjusted based on the food preparation process and/or travel information.

Disclosed is an invention in the field of automated food preparation. The present invention particularly relates to a system and method to prepare food items by automatically placing food items on a food preparation surface utilizing a multi-axis robot. Upon loading predetermined coordinates into a computing device, a computer program calculates the instructs the robot via a controller to load the required food items via one or more food ingredient dispensing heads automatically.

Disclosed is an invention in the field of automated food preparation. The present invention particularly relates to a system and method to prepare food items by automatically placing food items on a food preparation surface utilizing a multi-axis robot. Upon loading predetermined coordinates into a computing device, a computer program calculates the instructs the robot via a controller to load the required food items via one or more food ingredient dispensing heads automatically.

A food product coating apparatus has a main conveyor, a coating-material spreading system for spreading coating material across the main conveyor, and a coating-material recirculation system for recirculating excess-coating material spilling out the discharge end of the main conveyor. The recirculation system has at least one transverse collection conveyor and at least one counter-flow return conveyor, both of which like the main conveyor made of solid web material. The coating-material spreading system comprises a first overhead sifting loader near the intake end and a spaced away second overhead sifting loader. A food-product inflow conveyor transfers an inflow of food product to the main conveyor between the first and second loaders.

A food product coating apparatus has a main conveyor, a coating-material spreading system for spreading coating material across the main conveyor, and a coating-material recirculation system for recirculating excess-coating material spilling out the discharge end of the main conveyor. The recirculation system has at least one transverse collection conveyor and at least one counter-flow return conveyor, both of which like the main conveyor made of solid web material. The coating-material spreading system comprises a first overhead sifting loader near the intake end and a spaced away second overhead sifting loader. A food-product inflow conveyor transfers an inflow of food product to the main conveyor between the first and second loaders.

A powder-dispensing system includes a first rollable member and a second rollable member. The first rollable member has a first pressure surface, a threaded interior chamber internal to the first pressure surface and an entrance to the threaded interior chamber. The second rollable member has a second pressure surface and an interior chamber internal to the second pressure surface. A threaded exterior surface external to the interior chamber is configured for interlocking/threaded engagement with the threaded interior chamber. A plurality of perforations extend through the threaded exterior surface into the interior chamber of the second rollable member.

A system for preserving and metering ingredients, including a set of compartments arranged in a preservation chamber and a device for removing and metering ingredients for removing a predetermined quantity of ingredients from at least one compartment, the removing device including (i) a collecting vessel intended to temporarily store, in successive layers, the ingredients withdrawn from each compartment, (ii) a controlled conveying mechanism intended to move the collecting vessel into the vicinity of each compartment, and (iii) a control unit. A distribution device is intended to dispose the removed ingredients randomly and homogeneously on the surface of a substrate.

A system for preserving and metering ingredients, including a set of compartments arranged in a preservation chamber and a device for removing and metering ingredients for removing a predetermined quantity of ingredients from at least one compartment, the removing device including (i) a collecting vessel intended to temporarily store, in successive layers, the ingredients withdrawn from each compartment, (ii) a controlled conveying mechanism intended to move the collecting vessel into the vicinity of each compartment, and (iii) a control unit. A distribution device is intended to dispose the removed ingredients randomly and homogeneously on the surface of a substrate.

An automated food preparation system includes a seasoning-dispensing system, a sauce-dispensing system, and a conveyance system. The seasoning-dispensing system includes a plurality of vessels, a dispersion nozzle, and a conduit coupled to the dispersion nozzle. Each vessel contains one of a plurality of seasonings. The vessels are in selective communication with the conduit. The sauce-dispensing system includes a plurality of sauce reservoirs, a scanning head, and a plurality of tubes. Each sauce reservoirs contains one of a plurality of sauces. The scanning head includes openings each coupled with one of the sauce reservoirs via one of the tubes. The conveyance system transports a foodstuff between a seasoning position in which the foodstuff is disposed below the dispersion nozzle and a sauce position in which the foodstuff is disposed below the openings. The scanning head is movable to dispense one or more sauces onto the foodstuff.