US 12,219,963 B2
Automated pizza-making system
James R. Kesler, Chino, CA (US)
Filed by James R. Kesler, Chino, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/448,329.
Application 17/448,329 is a continuation of application No. 16/817,467, filed on Mar. 12, 2020, granted, now 11,178,879.
Prior Publication US 2022/0071219 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. A21C 9/08 (2006.01); A21B 1/48 (2006.01); A21C 9/04 (2006.01); A21C 11/00 (2006.01); A21C 11/10 (2006.01); A21C 13/02 (2006.01); B65G 15/12 (2006.01); B65G 17/12 (2006.01); B65G 17/32 (2006.01); B65G 65/48 (2006.01); F24C 15/30 (2006.01)
CPC A21C 9/083 (2013.01) [A21B 1/48 (2013.01); A21C 9/04 (2013.01); A21C 11/006 (2013.01); A21C 11/10 (2013.01); A21C 13/02 (2013.01); B65G 15/12 (2013.01); B65G 17/123 (2013.01); B65G 17/32 (2013.01); B65G 65/4872 (2013.01); F24C 15/30 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A loose topping dispenser for an automated pizza system comprising:
a hopper configured to store loose toppings;
an opening assembly coupled with a first end of the hopper and configured to open the hopper to release the loose toppings;
a distribution belt positioned above a pizza pan, the distribution belt configured to advance in a first direction wherein the opening assembly drops the loose toppings on the distribution belt and the distribution belt is advanced to drop the loose toppings on a dough on the pizza pan, the pizza pan positioned below the distribution belt; and
a mix and distribute assembly configured to spread the loose toppings on the distribution belt before being dropped onto the dough, wherein the mix and distribute assembly comprises a plurality of rotatable brushes engaged with a top surface of the distribution belt, wherein the mix and distribute assembly includes a guard, the guard positioned over the top surface of the distribution belt with the plurality of rotatable brushes at least partially therein, the guard including a vertical wall configured to prevent spillage of the loose toppings from the distribution belt, and wherein the plurality of rotatable brushes are planetary gears and the mix and distribute assembly includes a rim gear engaged with the planetary gears.
 
16. A loose topping dispenser for an automated pizza system comprising:
a hopper configured to store loose toppings;
an opening assembly coupled with a first end of the hopper and configured to open the hopper to release the loose toppings; and
a distribution belt positioned above a pizza pan, the distribution belt configured to advance in a first direction at a first speed;
wherein the opening assembly is configured to drop the loose toppings on the distribution belt and the distribution belt is configured to drop the loose toppings on a dough on the pizza pan positioned below the distribution belt;
wherein the distribution belt includes a rail, the rail being configured to retract the distribution belt in a second direction relative to the pizza pan as the distribution belt advances the loose toppings in the first direction such that the loose toppings are dropped on the dough on the pizza pan;
wherein the pizza pan is configured to be moved in the second direction at a second speed that is half of the first speed such that the loose topping are dropped on only half of the dough, in use.