Fry station with integral portion weight sensing system and method

摘要

A food portion preparation station has an integral portion weight sensing system configured for portion control. A fry ribbon with integral portion weight sensing includes a weight sensor and software to weigh individual orders of comestibles such as french fries in selected portion sizes and as the operator is adding comestibles to the container, an instant indication is provided on a display showing the operator that a full order or portion is delivered while avoiding unnecessary loss in excessive portions, thereby preserving the restaurant owner's profit margin. Comestibles are taken from a holding area and placed into a container having a selected portion size corresponding to an assigned weight. The fry ribbon structure incorporates the weight sensor and each weighed portion is moved laterally along the queue defined by ribbon area for retrieval and service to a customer.

主权项

1. A food service portion control system for preparing a plurality of individual portions from comestibles freshly prepared in a large quantity, comprising:
a food service preparation and supporting apparatus configured to receive a plurality of single portion containers of comestibles, wherein said food service preparation surface includes a ribbon scale including container supports and at least one weight sensor which generates a weight signal; said food service preparation and supporting apparatus further including a controller that is responsive to said weight signal and is pre-programmed to compare said weight signal to pre-selected weights for individual orders of comestibles in selected portion sizes and to generate a portion weight status signal; said ribbon scale supports being configured to support two or more containers or packaged portions of comestibles in a substantially upright orientation; wherein said food service preparation and supporting apparatus further includes an alarm or indicator which an operator can perceive when adding comestibles to a container resting upon said ribbon scale to prepare a portion; and wherein said ribbon scale is configured to be removably mounted proximate a food service preparation and supporting apparatus queue area including a plurality of supports dimensioned to keep filled containers upright; and wherein said ribbon scale's supports are substantially aligned with said queue area supports so that an operator can easily move a portioned container from said ribbon scale and onto said food service preparation and supporting apparatus queue area.