Automatic broiler for variable batch cooking
AssigneeBurger King Corporation
InventorsJeffrey R. Cook, Robert J. Wenzel, Mark Finck, Steven M. Shei, Clement J. Luebke
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Abstract
A flexible automatic broiler and method of use for variable batch cooking for particular use in quick serve and fast food service restaurants. The automatic cooking devices include a conveyorized cooking surface for alignment and discharge of food products, an altering/pulsating infrared energy radiation heat sources, and a control system. The arrangement and method facilitate a combination of batch preparation and made-to-order assembly of fast-food sandwiches.
Claims15
An automatic broiler for batch cooking comprising:
- a conveyorized cooking surface;
- a lower heat source positioned below the conveyorized cooking surface;
- an upper heat source positioned above the conveyorized cooking surface;
- a control means for selectively storing multiple cooking profiles of food products;
- the control means regulating the thermal output of the upper and lower heat sources depending on the cooking profile selected;
- the control means pulsing the thermal output of the upper heat source independently from the lower heat source to provide the appropriate thermal output depending on the cooking profile selected, wherein the pulsed thermal output of the upper heat source includes a pre-programmed irregular sequence of upper heat source on-times and off-times;
- the control means timing the thermal output of the upper and lower heat sources depending on the cooking profile selected;
- and
- the control means discharging the batch of food products according to the cooking profile selected by actuating the conveyorized cooking surface.
An automatic broiler for batch cooking comprising:
- a conveyorized cooking surface;
- a lower heat source positioned below the conveyorized cooking surface;
- an upper heat source positioned above the conveyorized cooking surface;
- a controller for selectively storing multiple cooking profiles of food products;
- the controller regulating the thermal output of the upper and lower heat sources depending on the cooking profile selected;
- the controller pulsing the thermal output of the upper heat source independently from the lower heat source to provide the appropriate thermal output depending on the cooking profile selected, wherein the pulsed thermal output of the upper heat source includes a pre-programmed irregular sequence of upper heat source on-times and off-times;
- the controller timing the thermal output of the upper and lower heat sources depending on the cooking profile selected;
- and
- the controller discharging the batch of food products according to the cooking profile selected by actuating the conveyorized cooking surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.