US 12,465,173 B2
Automated cooking system with lift platforms
Kimberly Reichelderfer, Yellow Springs, OH (US); Thomas M. Smith, Lewisburg, OH (US); Adrian Jason Pereira, Dayton, OH (US); and Michael Maddux, Kettering, OH (US)
Assigned to Henny Penny Corporation, Eaton, OH (US)
Filed by Henny Penny Corporation, Eaton, OH (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/686,816.
Application 17/686,816 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/344,063, filed on Jun. 10, 2021, granted, now 12,262,847.
Application 17/344,063 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/244,096, filed on Apr. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,678,769.
Prior Publication US 2022/0346597 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. A47J 37/12 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 37/1219 (2013.01) [A47J 37/1266 (2013.01); A47J 37/129 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fryer for use with an automated cooking system, the fryer comprising:
a plurality of fryer vats, each configured to hold a cooking medium, and each defining one or more cooking stations at the fryer;
at least one heating element disposed within each of the fryer vats; and
a plurality of vertical transport assemblies located proximate to and associated with each of the fryer vats such that one vertical transport assembly is associated with and mounted proximate each of the fryer vats, each vertical transport assembly configured to support and move a basket of food product into and out of the cooking medium at the respective fryer vat, and each vertical transport assembly including:
a lift base mounted proximate to the associated fryer vat and containing a motor;
a platform support hanger extending from the lift base and operatively coupled to the motor, such that the motor actuates to generate movement of the platform support hanger relative to the fryer vat; and
a basket support platform removably connected to the platform support hanger, the basket support platform including a support arm extending generally vertically to connect with the platform support hanger and a tray-shaped platform portion extending generally horizontally from the support arm, the tray-shaped platform portion being configured and shaped to circumferentially surround a bottom portion of a basket set onto the basket support platform, to thereby retain the basket during movements towards and away from the cooking medium,
wherein each vertical transport assembly is configured to receive the basket moved horizontally to the fryer vat by a gantry separate from the vertical transport assembly.