Methods and Apparatus for Automated Food Preparation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for automatically preparing food for consumption in which preparation comprises dispensing, manipulation, heating, and other operations using a wide variety of ingredients. The methods and apparatus described use ingredients efficiently and maintain their quality, while avoiding contact between ingredients and apparatus to minimize the risk of system contamination.

1 . A method for dispensing at least one substance from a sealed flexible package, comprising:
 (a) providing a sealed flexible package containing at least one substance wherein the package comprises at least one flexible film comprising a left portion and a right portion with each portion having an inside and an outside surface with the inside surfaces facing each other and wherein the portions are partially sealed to one another to form at least one cavity containing the at least one substance and wherein the seal comprises at least one openable seal and wherein each portion comprises an unsealed extension at one end and wherein each extension is narrower than a sealed region of the portion from which it extends;   (b) grasping the extension of the left portion using first grasping means;   (c) grasping the extension of the right portion using second grasping means;   (d) moving the first and second grasping means to pull the two extensions away from one another;   whereby the seal is opened and at least a portion of the at least one substance is dispensed from the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second grasping means move along a path that is at least partially curved. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second grasping means each comprise a clamp having leading and trailing portions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second grasping means move substantially below the flexible package when grasping the extensions. 
     
     
         5 . A method for dispensing a food ingredient from a package, comprising:
 (a) providing a sealed package containing a food ingredient wherein the package comprises at least one flexible film comprising a left portion and a right portion with each portion having an inside and an outside surface with the inside surfaces facing each other and at least a portion of the inside surfaces contacting the ingredient and wherein the portions are sealed to one another to form at least one cavity containing the at least one ingredient and wherein adjacent to the at least one ingredient, the sealing comprises at least one openable region and wherein the package comprises two opposite edges and two unsealed flaps beneath the seal;   (b) gripping the package near the two edges and pulling outwardly on the package to apply tension to it;   (c) separating and reorienting the flaps;   (d) clamping the flaps and applying tension to them;   wherein the package is opened.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the seal comprises a chevron having an apex at its bottom and wherein the gripping is substantially at or lower than the height of the apex. 
     
     
         7 . A method for opening a flexible package, comprising:
 (a) providing a package having two flaps with non-aligned apertures;   (b) inserting pins through the apertures of the flaps;   (c) moving the pins to separate the flaps;   whereby the package is opened.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising grasping the separated flaps and applying tension to them.