Patent Overview
Title
Automated bin system for accepting food items in robotic kitchen workspace
Inventors
- Ryan W. Sinnet 🙋♂️
- Abhimanyu Bhakuni
- William Guffey
- Ryan R. Wach
- Robert Anderson
Patent No.
US 12,082,742 B2
Issued
Patent Family
The patent is a continuation patent which extends the following patent(s) (see below for key differences):
Abstract
A robotic kitchen system for preparing food items in combination with at least one kitchen appliance such as a fryer comprises an automated bin assembly, a robotic arm, and a basket held by the robotic arm. The automated bin assembly comprises at least one automated bin for holding the food items. A camera or sensor array collects image data of the food items in the bin(s). A central processor is operable to compute and provide directions to the first robotic arm and automated bin assembly based on the image data and stored data to (a) move the robotic arm to the bin; (b) actuate the bin to drop the food items from the bin into the basket; (c) and to move the basket into the fryer all without human interaction. Related methods are also described.
The Problem We Solved
Commercial kitchens are dangerous places. Hot oil, busy workers, and sharp tools create hazards daily. When you add robots to this environment, safety becomes even more critical. The fundamental challenge was creating a system that allows humans and robots to work together efficiently without slowing down operations. Traditional approaches to robot safety either require robots to slow down or stop when humans are nearby, or they place robots in completely separate workspaces, creating inefficient handoffs between zones. We needed a solution that maintained the robot’s full-speed operation while allowing humans to safely add ingredients to the workflow without interruptions.
The Innovation
I invented a smart bin system that creates a physical barrier between humans and robots. Workers place food into bins that stick through a window in a protective shield. The robot then positions a basket underneath the bin, the bin automatically rotates to dump the food into the basket, and the robot moves the basket to the fryer to cook. When cooking is finished, the robot dumps the food onto a chute that slides the cooked food out to another area where it can be sorted and packaged.
Scope of the Patent
The patent covers the entire automated cooking system including:
- The rotating bins that accept food from humans and dump it to robots
- The safety shield design with windows for bins and cooked food
- The robotic arm that positions baskets and handles cooking
- The computer vision system that identifies food types
- The scheduling system that optimizes cooking
- The sorting system that delivers cooked food to appropriate holding areas
Why It Matters
This innovation solves multiple problems at once:
- It keeps workers completely separated from robots and dangerous equipment
- It eliminates the need for workers to handle heavy fry baskets or work near hot oil
- It reduces food contamination by minimizing human contact with food
- It improves kitchen efficiency by automating repetitive tasks
- It enables the robot to operate at full speed without safety slowdowns since humans are physically separated
- It’s modular and can be expanded to handle different menu items
The bin system is one of very few practical ways to safely transfer food between humans and robots in a commercial kitchen environment. This makes the patent particularly valuable as restaurants increasingly adopt automation to address labor challenges and improve consistency.
Key Differences in the Continuation Patent
The continuation patent strengthens the original invention with several key improvements:
- Multiple independently movable collection zones, allowing different food types to be handled simultaneously
- Enhanced food detection and classification system, with continuous image monitoring
- More sophisticated scheduling that considers food type, recipes, and current system state
- A complete method claim covering the entire workflow from receiving food through cooking and serving
- Better integration between the bin system and the scheduling engine
- Explicit coverage of vibrating bins to separate food items
Why This Is Strategically Valuable
This continuation patent significantly expands the protection of my invention by focusing on the method and workflow rather than just the physical apparatus. This is strategically important because:
- It makes it harder for competitors to “design around” the physical elements by protecting the overall method of operation
- It explicitly claims the integration of computer vision and scheduling software with the mechanical components
- It addresses multiple food types and parallel processing, which is essential for busy commercial kitchens
- It protects the end-to-end process from food entry to cooking completion
- The patents together create a stronger barrier to entry in the automated kitchen space by protecting both the equipment and the methodology
Combined Patent Family Value
Together, these patents create comprehensive protection for robotic kitchen automation that addresses both hardware and methodology:
- The original patent (US-11744403-B2: Automated bin system for accepting food items in robotic kitchen workspace) establishes the core hardware configuration and basic operation principles
- The continuation patent (US-12082742-B2) extends protection to the workflow methodology and multi-bin intelligent operations
This two-patent family creates a strong competitive advantage because:
- It protects multiple aspects of the same core technology
- It covers both physical implementation and operational methods
- It addresses different claim categories (apparatus and method)
- It evolves with the technology, demonstrating ongoing innovation
- It creates a more complete barrier to competition by protecting the entire workflow
The combined patents represent a significant asset in the rapidly growing kitchen automation market, where the ability to safely integrate robots into existing human workflows is a critical factor for adoption. The patent family protects not just a device, but a complete solution to one of the most challenging problems in robotic kitchen implementation.