Patent Overview
Title
Robotic kitchen assistant including universal utensil gripping assembly
Inventors
- Ryan Sinnet 🙋♂️
- Robert Anderson
- William Werst
Patent No.
US 11,167,421 B2
Issued
Abstract
A robotic kitchen assistant for frying includes a robotic arm, a fryer basket, and a robotic arm adapter assembly allowing the robotic arm to pick up and manipulate the fryer basket. The robotic arm adapter includes opposing gripping members to engage the fryer basket. A utensil adapter assembly is mounted to the handle of the fryer basket, and the opposing gripper members are actuated to capture a three-dimensional (3D) feature of the utensil adapter assembly. The robotic arm adapter assembly can include an agitator mechanism to shake the fryer basket or another utensil as desired. Related methods are also described.
The Problem We Solved
Commercial kitchens are dangerous places, especially around fryers. Kitchen workers risk serious burns when handling hot fryer baskets, and the repetitive task of frying food properly requires constant attention. Baskets need to be shaken to prevent food from clumping, and fryer oil needs regular cleaning. Automating these tasks is difficult because kitchen tools aren’t made with precise measurements, baskets get bent over time, and robots typically need exact positioning to work properly.
The Innovation
We created a robotic system that can reliably pick up and use kitchen tools, especially fryer baskets, even when they’re not perfectly positioned. The key innovation is a special two-part gripping system:
- A “utensil adapter” that attaches to the handle of kitchen tools
- A robotic gripper that can find and securely grab this adapter
The gripper has angled teeth that slide into place on the adapter’s diamond-shaped target, making it work even if the initial alignment is off by quite a bit. We also designed a special shaking mechanism that lets the robot shake the fryer basket without damaging its own arm joints.
Scope of the Patent
The patent covers the entire universal gripping system, including:
- The design of the utensil adapter and its target feature
- The robotic arm gripper with its special teeth
- The shaking mechanism that isolates vibration from the robot arm
- Methods for using the system to cook fried foods
- Techniques for cleaning fryer debris using the same system
Why It Matters
This technology makes it possible for robots to take over one of the most dangerous and tedious kitchen tasks – deep frying. By handling hot oil safely and consistently, the system reduces workplace injuries and frees up kitchen staff for more skilled work. Unlike many robotics solutions that only work in perfect conditions, this system is designed for the real world of busy kitchens where things aren’t always perfectly clean or precisely positioned. It’s part of a larger movement toward kitchen automation that can improve food consistency while addressing labor shortages in the restaurant industry.