Method and apparatus for automatically packaging and dispensing food products

Abstract

A food product gathering and dispensing system is disclosed. The food product is generally a flat disc shaped article dispensed onto a consumable strip of food product conveyer material. The food product is fed to single, or series related, spools that wind up the consumable conveyer material and food product into a removable roll or stack. The roll or stack is placed into a dispenser pack, optionally subject to further environmental treatment, and refrigeration. The pack is then installed within a refrigerated dispenser system where the food product and consumable material are collectively unwound and/or separated, as the food product is fed into a processing system, i.e., a cooking device. The consumable conveyer material is collected and separately discarded.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A spool of food product and consumable conveyer material, comprising:
 a spool having wound thereon a consumable conveyer belt material that encapsulates individualized food product units therein via folded portions of said conveyer materials that fold, with respective outer edges of said consumable conveyer folded one toward the other, and form a tube completely containing said food product such that successive wound layers of conveyer material on said spool are placed adjacent successive layers of conveyer material.   
     
     
         2 . A spool as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said food products are individualized fresh patties of food product.   
     
     
         3 . A food gathering system package used in a food gathering system, comprising:
 a first food package comprising disposable food conveyer material wrapped around successive food products, wherein at least one layer of conveyer separates successive food products; and,   a second package having an open interior for accepting and storing and transporting said first package.   
     
     
         4 . The food gathering system package as in  claim 3 , wherein:
 said first package comprises a spool of conveyer product with successive food products completely wrapped and contained between adjacent layers of disposable conveyer.   
     
     
         5 . The food gathering system package as in  claim 3 , wherein the second package is container having a first part separable from the second part for accessing the open interior. 
     
     
         6 . The food gathering system package of  claim 3 , wherein the second package is a corrugated container. 
     
     
         7 . The food gathering system package as in  claim 3 , wherein said conveyor material is a polyethylene film. 
     
     
         8 . The food gathering system package as in  claim 3 , wherein the open interior has a reduced oxygen content. 
     
     
         9 . The food gathering system package of  claim 8 , wherein the food products are fresh meat products. 
     
     
         10 . The food gathering system package of  claim 3 , wherein the food products are disc-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The food gathering system package of  claim 10 , wherein the food products are flat. 
     
     
         12 . The food gathering system package of  claim 3 , wherein the first package includes a spool onto which said conveyor material is wound. 
     
     
         13 . The food gathering system package of  claim 12 , wherein said spool has a connector at a first end for operable attachment to a mandrel. 
     
     
         14 . The food gathering system package of  claim 3 , wherein the food products are any of hamburger patties, sausage patties, and vegetable patties. 
     
     
         15 . The food gathering system package of  claim 3 , wherein said conveyor material is a heat-fusible belt. 
     
     
         16 . The food gathering system package of  claim 3 , wherein said first container is cylindrical and has an outer wrap of conveyor material. 
     
     
         17 . The food gathering system package of  claim 13 , wherein said connector is a female connector. 
     
     
         18 . The food gathering system package of  claim 17 , wherein said female connector has radially outwardly extending notches for interconnecting with said mandrel.