Patent Publication Number: US-2019191931-A1

Title: Tools for shaping a food item

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. 
     In particular, this application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/114,777, filed Aug. 28, 2018, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/553,654 filed Sep. 1, 2017, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses and methods for shaping a food item, and more particularly, to tools and methods for shaping a patty into a taco shape. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Various technologies and methods exist for shaping food items. For example, various devices and methods exist for forming tortillas into U-shaped hard shell tacos. 
     SUMMARY 
     The systems and methods described herein provide for the shaping of food items or products, for example, patties made of potatoes, meat, and/or other food item(s), into taco shapes. The systems and methods described herein can advantageously include features to help align various components of the systems. 
     In some embodiments, an insert is configured to slidingly engage with a basket and be movable from a first position to a second position relative to the basket to change a shape of a plurality of food items from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer. The basket includes a lower trough. The lower trough defines the second shape. The insert includes a wedge and an upper trough. The upper trough is disposed below the wedge and defines the second shape. The upper trough is movable in a first direction towards the wedge and in a second direction away from the wedge. The upper trough of the insert is configured to be disposed above the lower trough of the basket at least when the insert is slidingly engaged with the basket. The upper trough is also configured to move away from the lower trough in the first direction and move towards the lower trough in the second direction when the insert is in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, a system is configured to change a shape of a plurality of food items from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer. The system includes a basket and an insert. The basket has a lower trough that defines the second shape. The insert is configured to slidingly engage with the basket and move from a first position to a second position relative to the basket. The insert includes a wedge and an upper trough disposed below the wedge. The wedge is closer to the lower trough of the basket when the insert is in the second position than when the insert is in the first position. The upper trough defines the second shape and is movable in a first direction towards the wedge and in a second direction towards the lower trough when the insert is in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, a method for changing a shape of a plurality of food items from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer includes providing a basket having a lower trough defining the second shape and providing an insert having a wedge and an upper trough. The upper trough defines the second shape. The method includes placing one of the plurality of food items in the basket above the lower trough and placing one of the plurality of food items in the insert between the wedge and the upper trough. The method also includes lowering at least a portion of the basket into the fryer so that the weight of the insert presses the wedge directly against the one of the plurality of food items in the insert and indirectly against the one of the plurality of food items in the basket to form the plurality of food items into the second shape while cooking. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus is configured to change a shape of a first food item and a second food item stacked below the first food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer. The apparatus includes a wedge, a lower trough, and an upper trough. The wedge is configured to contact a top surface of the first food item. The lower trough is disposed below the wedge and is movable relative to the wedge. The lower trough has the second shape. The upper trough is disposed between the wedge and the lower trough and has the second shape. The upper trough is configured to separate the first food item from the second food item and contact a top surface of the second food item when the first food item and the second food item are placed in the apparatus. The upper trough is movable relative to the wedge and the lower trough when the lower trough is a fixed distance from the wedge. 
     In some embodiments, a system for changing a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape includes a tool and an insert. The tool includes a frame, two receptacles, and at least one post extending upwardly from the tool. Each receptacle is configured to receive a food item when the food item is in the first shape. The insert is configured to slidingly engage with the tool. The insert includes a frame, a guide, two wedges extending downward from the frame, and a handle. The guide of the insert is configured to receive and slide along an outer surface of the at least one post of the tool in use. Each wedge is configured to contact the food item received in one of the receptacles and urge the food item into the second shape. 
     In some such embodiments, the tool includes two posts and a crossbar extending between and connecting upper ends of the posts. The insert can include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a crossbar and a catch at each end of the crossbar. The crossbar and catches are pivotally coupled to the handle of the insert. As the insert is assembled with the tool in use, the crossbar and catches of the insert pivot relative to the handle to allow the crossbar and catches to slide past the crossbar of the tool. Once the crossbar and catches of the insert have cleared the crossbar of the tool, the crossbar and caches pivot back toward their original orientation and portions of the catches are disposed below the crossbar of the tool. If a user attempts to lift the insert away from the tool, the catches contact the crossbar of the tool and cause the tool to be lifted along with the insert. 
     In some embodiments, the insert includes two side guides. Each side guide extends outward and the downward from the frame of the insert. The side guides are configured to be received in gaps formed between the frame of the tool and the receptacles of the tool. 
     In some embodiments, the system further includes a basket including at least two troughs. The tool is configured to be placed on the basket such that the receptacles align with the troughs. The wedges are configured to urge each food item received in the two receptacles into the at least two troughs during cooking to shape each food item into the second shape. 
     In some embodiments, an insert for slidingly engaging with a basket and moving between a first position and a second position to change a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer, wherein the basket includes at least one trough defining the second shape and a guide, includes a body having a channel and at least one wedge. The channel is sized and shaped to slidingly engage with the guide when the insert moves from the first position to the second position. The at least one wedge is sized and shaped to fit within the at least one trough and provide a gap between the at least one wedge and the at least one trough when the insert is in the second position. The gap has the second shape. 
     In some such embodiments, a system for changing the shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape includes the insert and a tool. The tool is configured to be disposed on the basket and includes two receptacles. Each receptacle is configured to receive the food item when the food item is in the first shape. The insert is configured to slidingly engage the tool. In some embodiments, the tool includes at least one post and the insert includes a guide configured to slidingly engage the at least one post. 
     In some embodiments, a system for changing a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer includes a basket, a tool, and an insert. The basket includes at least one trough defining the second shape and at least one peak. The basket is configured to be at least partially submerged in the fryer. The tool is configured to be disposed on the basket. The tool includes a receptacle that is configured to receive the food item when the food item is in the first shape. The insert includes a pair of channels and at least one wedge. The pair of channels are sized and shaped to slidingly engage with the at least one peak when the insert moves from a first position to a second position relative to the tool. The at least one wedge is sized and shaped to fit within the at least one trough and provide a gap between the at least one wedge and the at least one trough when the insert is in the second position such that the gap has the second shape. 
     In some such embodiments, the tool includes at least one upwardly extending post, and the insert includes a guide configured to slidingly receive the at least one post. In some embodiments, the tool includes a handle and the insert includes a handle. The handle of the insert is configured to engage the handle of the tool when the insert moves to the second position. 
     In some embodiments, a method for changing a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer includes: providing a basket having at least one trough defining the second shape and at least one peak, the basket being configured to be at least partially submerged in the fryer; locating a tool having a receptacle to a position on the basket, the receptacle having the first shape; placing the food item in the receptacle; locating an insert having a pair of channels and at least one wedge above the tool so that the pair of channels are aligned with the at least one peak; lowering the insert onto the tool so that the pair of channels slidingly engage with the at least one peak until the at least one wedge rests on the food item; and lowering at least portions of the basket, the tool, and the insert into the fryer so that the pair of channels continue to slidingly engage with the at least one peak while the at least one wedge presses the food item into the at least one trough to form the second shape while cooking. 
     All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure herein. These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular disclosed embodiment(s). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings of certain embodiments, which are intended to schematically illustrate certain embodiments and not to limit the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates two example patties made of potatoes. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a basket. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the basket of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the basket of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front end view of the basket of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a tool configured to be used with the basket of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the tool of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the tool of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an end view of the tool of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of an insert configured to be used with the basket of  FIG. 2  and the tool of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the insert of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of the insert of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an end view of the insert of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the basket of  FIG. 2 , the tool of  FIG. 6 , and the insert of  FIG. 10  prior to assembly. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of the basket, tool, and insert of  FIG. 14  assembled together. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an end view of the assembled basket, tool, and insert of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a side view of the assembled basket, tool, and insert of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a top view of the assembled basket, tool, and insert of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another example embodiment of a tool assembled with a basket. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates the patties of  FIG. 1  placed in the assembled tool and basket of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  illustrates the patties, tool, and basket of  FIG. 20  and another example embodiment of an insert assembled with the tool. 
         FIG. 22  is similar to  FIG. 21 , showing a second insert assembled with the tool. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a side view of one of the patties of  FIG. 1  shaped into a taco shape and filled with fillings. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a top view of the taco of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a top perspective view of another example embodiment of a basket. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a side view of the basket of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a top view of the basket of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a front view of the basket of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a top perspective view of an example embodiment of an insert configured to be used with the basket of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a side view of the insert of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a top view of the insert of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a front view of the insert of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 33  illustrates the insert of  FIG. 29  aligned vertically above the basket of  FIG. 25  prior to being assembled together. 
         FIG. 34  is similar to  FIG. 33  except that the insert of  FIG. 29  has been lowered onto the basket of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 35  illustrates a perspective view of the basket of  FIG. 25 , insert of  FIG. 29 , and a plurality of patties prior to submerging at least a portion of the basket and insert assembly into a fryer. 
         FIG. 36  illustrates a front view of the basket of  FIG. 25  and the insert of  FIG. 29  assembled together. 
         FIG. 37  is similar to  FIG. 36  except that the movable portion of the insert of  FIG. 29  has been raised relative to the rest of the assembly. 
         FIG. 38  is a cross sectional view of the basket of  FIG. 25  and the insert of  FIG. 29  assembled together with a plurality of uncooked patties. 
         FIG. 39  is similar to  FIG. 38  except that the insert of  FIG. 29  has been lowered further onto the basket of  FIG. 25  and the patties have been cooked and shaped. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although certain embodiments and examples are described below, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein disclosed should not be limited by any particular embodiments described below. 
     The systems and methods described herein can be used to change the shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape. For example, the systems and methods described herein can be used to shape a food item into a desired shape, such as a taco shape. The food item can be a patty  10  made of or including, for example, potatoes, various meat, such as chicken or beef, which may be breaded or unbreaded, or another food item. The patty  10  can be round or circular, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The patty  10  can be another shape, such as square, rectangular, or oval. In some embodiments, the patty  10  is frozen, or otherwise rigid or relatively rigid, before being placed in the systems described herein for cooking and shaping. In some embodiments, the food item is fresh or not frozen before being placed in the systems described herein for cooking and shaping. 
     In some embodiments, a system  100  for shaping a food item, such as a patty  10 , includes a basket  110 , a tool  130 , and an insert  150 . In some embodiments, the basket  110  and the tool  130  are integral and/or the basket  110  includes at least some features of the tool  130 , such as a plurality of posts  136 . In some embodiments, the insert  150  and the tool  130  are integral and/or the insert  150  includes at least some features of the tool  130 . An exploded view of an example embodiment of a system  100  for shaping a food item is shown in  FIG. 14 . The basket  110 , tool  130 , and/or insert  150  can be made of metal. In some embodiments, the basket  110 , tool  130 , and/or insert  150  can be made of plastic. The basket  110 , tool  130 , and/or insert  150  can be made of a material that is food-safe and suitable for use in high temperatures, such as in a fryer, oven, or microwave. 
     An example embodiment of a basket  110  is shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . The basket  110  includes a base  112  having a frame  120  and at least one trough  114 . The frame  120 , can be rectangular as shown. The illustrated embodiment includes six troughs, but more or fewer troughs  114  are also possible. Each trough  114  is at least partially defined by two peaks  116 , one on each side of the trough  114 . In embodiments having a plurality of troughs  114 , one or more of the peaks  116  may each separate and/or at least partially define two adjacent troughs  114 . The peaks  116  can extend between and be connected to the frame  120  of the base  112  as shown. The outermost peaks  116  at the ends of the base  112  extend along or are defined by ends of the frame  120 . The basket  110  can include one or more support bars  113  extending lengthwise along a bottom of the basket  110  beneath the troughs  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the basket  110  includes a handle  118  extending from one side or end of the base  112 . The basket  110  may include a hook  119  that contacts or engages a fryer during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the basket  110  includes a hook  119  that extends from an opposite end of the base  112  from the handle  118 . 
     In some embodiments, a length Lb (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the frame  120  of the basket  110  is about 12½ inches and a width Wb of the frame  120  is about 6¾ inches. Adjacent peaks  116  can be separated by a distance Dp of about 2 inches such that the troughs  114  have a width of about 2 inches. The two troughs  114  adjacent the ends of the frame  120  can have a width Dpe of about 2 3/16 inches. The handle  118  can extend upward from the body  112  by a distance Hh (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of about 3¼ inches, then extend a length Lh of about 8½ inches at an angle Ah of about 25° upward from horizontal. In some embodiments, a body of the handle  118  has a width Wh of about 1¼ inches. An enlarged distal portion of the handle  118  (positioned away from the body  112 ) may have a width Whm at its widest point of about 1⅞ inches. In embodiments including a hook  119 , the hook  119  may extend a distance Dh of about 5/16 inch from an end of the frame  120 . A full length Lbf of the basket  110  including the handle  118  and the hook  119  can be about 21 5/16 inches. A height Hb (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the base  112  including the support bars  113  can be about 3½ inches. A height Hbh of the base  112  including the support bars  113  and hook  119  can be about 5 inches. A full height Hbf of the basket  110  including the handle  118  and the support bars  113  can be about 9½ inches. In some embodiments, the basket  110  can have a weight of about 2-3 pounds. For example, the basket  110  can have a weight of about 2 pounds, 4.7 ounces. 
       FIGS. 6-9  illustrate an example embodiment of a tool, which can act as a patty alignment and/or centering tool in certain embodiments,  130 . In other embodiments, the tool  130  aligns foods other than a patty. In some embodiments, the assembly does not include the tool  130 . In some embodiments, other components in the system  100  include at least some of the features of the tool  130 , such as posts  136 . In some embodiments, the tool  130  includes two receptacles  134 . The receptacles  134  are sized and shaped to receive the food item. For example, the receptacles  134  can be circular as shown to receive circular or generally circular patties  10 . Alternatively, the receptacles  134  can be another shape, such as square, rectangular, or oval, to receive other shaped patties  10  or foods. In some embodiments, receptacles  134  are not included and the patties  10  can be placed directly on other components in the system  100 , such as above troughs  114 . The illustrated circular receptacles  134  meet (e.g., are in contact or near contact with each other) in the center of the tool  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tool  130  includes a generally rectangular frame  132  surrounding, partially bordering, and/or supporting the two receptacles  134 . In the illustrated embodiment, mid portions of the ends of the frame  132  are formed by or curved to accommodate the receptacles  134  such that mid portions of the ends of the frame  132  are curved outwardly. The frame  132  is sized and shaped to at least partially nest or fit with the frame  120  of the base  112  of the basket  110 . The tool  130  also includes two upwardly extending posts  136 . The posts  136  are positioned centrally along the length of the tool  130  with one disposed on each side of a central longitudinal axis of the tool  130  (e.g., an axis extending parallel to the long sides of the rectangular frame  132  and extending through centers or midpoints of the short sides of the rectangular frame  132 ). Each post  136  extends upward from and/or through a gap  133  formed between an inner surface of a central portion of a side of the frame  132  and outer surfaces of the two circular receptacles  134 . The posts  136  can be coupled or secured to the receptacles  134 . A cross-bar  138  extends between and connects upper or top ends of the two posts  136 . In some embodiments, the cross-bar  138  can be used as a handle. In the illustrated embodiment, each post  136  includes two parallel wires joined by a U-shaped portion at the top or upper end of the post  136  or a single wire formed in a U-shape such that the curved portion of the U-shape is positioned at the top or upper end of the post  136  and the parallel arms extend downward toward the receptacles  134 . The wire(s) forming the posts  136  may also connect to each other at bottom or lower ends of the posts  136  beneath the receptacles  134  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The tool  130  is shaped and sized to be placed on and/or nest with the basket  110 . The frame  132  can have a width Wf (shown in  FIG. 7 ) of about 6¼ inches. The sides of the frame  132  can have a length Lfs of about 12 inches. The frame  132  can have a total length Lf including curved mid portions of the ends of the frame  132  of about 12¼ inches. The frame can have a height or thickness Tf (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of about 7/16 inch. The receptacles  134  can have inner diameters ID of about 6 inches. A total height Ht (shown in  FIG. 9 ) of the tool  130  can be about 5⅜ inches. The posts  136  can span a distance Pw of about 3 5/16 inches across the width of the frame  132 . Each post  136  can have a thickness Pt (measured along the length of the frame  132 ) of about 13/16 inch. In some embodiments, the tool  130  has a weight of about 0.5-1 pound. For example, the tool  130  can have a weight of about 11 ounces. 
     An example embodiment of an insert  150  is shown in  FIGS. 10-13 . The insert  150  includes a frame  152 , two wedges  154 , and a handle  156 . One of the wedges  154  extends downwardly from each end of the frame  152 . As shown, the frame  152  can include and/or form an upper perimeter of each wedge  154 . The handle  156  extends upwardly from or adjacent to sides of the frame  152 . As shown, the handle  156  can include a first bar  156   a  and a second bar  156   b.  The second bar  156   b  is spaced from the first bar  156   a  along a length of the insert  150 . Each bar  156   a,    156   b  extends across a width of the insert  150 . The insert  150  includes a guide  158  positioned between the sides of the frame  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guide  158  is circular, although other shapes are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, side guides  159  extend downward from each side of the frame  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side guides  159  extend outward from the sides of the frame  152  then downward. Each side guide  159  includes a slot or channel  155  extending upwardly from a bottom end of the side guide  159 . The cross-section shape of the channel  155  can change along the length of the channel  155 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, an opening or distal end of the channel  155  is wider than a remainder of the channel  155 . The channel  155  can taper from the opening to the narrower remainder of the channel  155 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the side guides  159  can extend further downward or away from the frame  152  than the wedges  154 . 
     The insert  150  is designed to slidingly engage the tool  130  and/or the basket  110  in use. The insert  150  can include one or more features designed to slidingly engage and/or align with one or more corresponding features of the tool  130  and/or the basket  110 . For example, the guide  158  can align with and slidingly engage the posts  136  of the tool  130  as described in greater detail herein. Alternatively or in addition, the side guides  159  can align with and slidingly engage a peak  116  of the basket  110  as described in greater detail herein. 
     The insert  150  can also include a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a cross bar  162  extending along the direction of the width of the insert  150 . Each end of the cross bar  162  is coupled to a catch  160 . In the illustrated embodiment, the catches  160  are triangular, with one corner pointing downward and coupled to the cross bar  162 , and one side forming a top surface of the catch  160 . A sidearm  164  extends between the top surface of each catch  160  and the handle  156 . In the illustrated embodiment, each side of the handle  156  includes a side bar  157  extending between and coupling the first bar  156   a  and the second bar  156   b  of the handle  156 . Each sidearm  164  is pivotally coupled to one of the side bars  157  at a pivot point  166 . The sidearms  164  extend to inner facing surfaces of the side bars  157 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pivot arm  168  extends from an outer facing surface of one side bar  157  across a width of the insert  150  (e.g., along a direction parallel to the handle  156 ) to an outer facing surface of the other side bar  157 . In some embodiments, the pivot arm  168  is coupled to or integrally formed with the sidearms  164  such that the pivot arm  168  and sidearm  164  combination extends through the side bars  157  and is pivotal relative to the side bars  157 . Movement of the pivot arm  168  can therefore be coupled to movement of the sidearms  164 . Movement, e.g., pivoting, of the pivot arm  168  toward one end of the insert  150  causes the sidearms  164 , catches  160 , and cross bar  162  to move, e.g., pivot, toward the opposite end of the insert  150 . Similarly, movement, e.g., pivoting, of the cross bar  162 , catches  160 , and sidearms  164  toward one end of the insert  150  causes the pivot arm  168  to move, e.g., pivot, toward the opposite end of the insert  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the insert  150  is sized and shaped to be assembled with the tool  130  and basket  110 . In some embodiments, the insert is sized and shaped to be assembled with the basket  110 , without the tool  130 . The frame  152  can have a total length Li (shown in  FIG. 12 ) of about 7 5/16 inches. The portions of the frame  152  forming the tops of the wedges  154  can have lengths Lw of about 6 3/16 inches and widths Ww of about 1¼ inches. The guide  158  can have an outer diameter OD of about 3¾ inches. The wedges  154  can extend downward from the frame  152  by a distance Hw (shown in  FIG. 11 ) of about 3⅛. The side guides  155  can extend downward from the frame  152  by a distance Hs of about 3¾ inches. The side guides  159  can have a width Ws of about 2¾ inches. The side guides  159  can span a distance Ds (shown in  FIG. 13 ) across the width of the frame  152  of about 5⅝ inches. The handle  156  can have a thickness (measured along the length of the insert  150 ) Th of about 1 5/16 inches. The handle  156  can have a height Hih of about 7½ inches. The handle  156  can span a distance Dih across the width of the insert  150  of about 4 inches. The crossbar  162  can have a length Lcb of about 1⅞ inches. A height Hil measured from the pivot arm  168  to the crossbar  162  can be about 3⅞ inches. A height Hip measured from the pivot arm  168  to the pivot point  166  can be about 1¾ inches. A width Wpa of the pivot arm  168  at its widest point, e.g., measured along a line extending through both pivot points,  166  can be about 4 5/16 inches. The insert  150  can have a total height Hi of about 11¼ inches. The wedges  154  and troughs  114  are sized and shaped such that when the insert  150  is fully assembled with the tool  130  and basket  110  as described herein, the wedges  154  are received in the troughs  114 , and a gap is formed between each wedge  154  and its respective trough  114 . The gap forms the second shape or final desired shape of the food item, e.g., a taco shape in the illustrated embodiment. 
     In use, the tool  130  is placed on or partially nested in the basket  110  such that a central portion of each receptacle  134  is aligned with one of the troughs  114  of the basket  110 , for example as shown in  FIGS. 15-18  and in  FIG. 19 , which shows an alternative embodiment of the tool  130 . The frame  132  and receptacles  134  rest on and are supported by the peaks  116  of the basket  110 . A patty  10  is placed within one or each receptacle  134  (as shown in  FIG. 20 , which shows the alternative embodiment of the tool  130  of  FIG. 19 ). As discussed above, the patties  10  can be provided frozen such that the patties  10  initially maintain their shape, e.g., round shape. The insert  150  is then guided onto the tool  130 . The guide  158  of the insert  150  aligns with and slides along outer surfaces of the posts  136  of the tool  130  to help properly align the insert  150  relative to the tool  130  and/or basket  110  as shown in  FIG. 15 . As the insert  150  is guided onto the tool  130 , the channels  155  align with and at least partially engage one of the peaks  116  (e.g., the central peak  116 ) to help properly align the insert  150  relative to the basket  110 . Because the side guides  159  extend farther downward from the frame  152  than the wedges  154 , the channels  155  engage the peak  116  before the wedges  154  contact the patties  10  disposed in the receptacles  134 . As the insert  150  is advanced downward relative to the tool  130 , one of the wedges  154  contacts each of the patties  10  disposed in the receptacles  134 . 
     The assembled basket  110 , tool  130 , and insert  150  with patties  10  are placed in a cooking apparatus to cook the patties  10 . For example, the assembled basket  110 , tool  130 , and insert  150  with patties  10  can be placed in a fryer containing hot oil. Alternatively, the basket  110 , tool  130 , and insert  150  with patties  10  can be placed in an oven or microwave. As the patties  10  cook and soften, the weight of the insert  150  causes the wedges  154  to push the patties  10  into the troughs  114  with which the receptacles  134  are aligned and shape the patties  10  into a taco shape. When the insert  150  is fully seated in or advanced relative to the tool  130  and basket  110  (in other words, when the insert  150  has moved from a first position in which the insert  150  initially engages the tool  130  and a second position in which the insert  150  has been fully advanced downward relative to the tool  130 ), the wedges  154  are received in the troughs  114  and each patty  10  is formed into the second shape defined by the gap between the wedge  154  and trough  114 . The insert  150  can be designed and manufactured to have a weight selected to promote a required or desired rate of the wedges  154  pushing the patties  10  into the troughs  114 . The required or desired rate of the wedges  154  pushing the patties  10  into the troughs  114  and weight of the insert  150  can be selected considering the effect of gravity. For example, if the insert  150  is too light and the wedges  154  do not apply enough weight or force to the patties  10 , the patties may cook without being forced into the troughs  114  and formed in the desired shape. On the other hand, if the insert  150  is too heavy and the wedges  154  force the patties  10  into the troughs  114  too quickly, the patties  10  may crack as they cook. In some embodiments, the insert  150  is designed and manufactured to have an overall weight of about 1 pound. For example, the insert  150  can have a weight of about 1 pound, 4.2 ounces. A weight of about 1 pound may be appropriate for patties  10  made of, for example, potatoes or chicken. In other embodiments, the insert  150  can have a different weight. The weight of the insert  150  can be selected based on various factors, including, for example, one or more of: the food composition of the patties  10 , whether the patties  10  are frozen, the weight of the patties  10 , the thickness of the patties  10 , and the rigidity of the patties  10 . In some embodiments, the weight of the insert  150  is adjustable. In some embodiments, multiple inserts  150  having varying weights can be provided, and a user can select the appropriate insert  150 . Such multiple inserts  150  can be identified or distinguished from one another via various markings or indicia, for example, differently colored handles. In some embodiments, the basket  110 , the tool  130 , and/or the insert  150  can include a mechanism, e.g., a removably attachable mechanism, to alter the rate of movement of the insert  150  relative to the basket  110 . For example, if a faster rate of movement was desired, a spring could be attached to the basket  110 . The spring could be stretched and attached to the insert  150 . As the spring returned to its unstretched state, the spring would pull the insert  150  down more quickly than it might otherwise travel. 
     During assembly of the system, each side guide  159  slides into one of the gaps  133  as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 18 . The slots  155  receive one of the peaks  116  (e.g., the central peak  116  in the illustrated embodiment) and allow the side guides  159  to slide along and/or into the two troughs  114  adjacent the peak  116  received in the channel  155 . Because the side guides  159  extend further downward or away from the frame  152  than the wedges  154 , the side guides  159  can align with and/or engage the basket  110  prior to cooking and shaping of the patties  10 . The side guides  159  can advantageously help properly align the insert  150  relative to the tool  130  and/or basket  110  and/or help secure the insert  150  to the tool  130  and/or basket  110  during use. As the patties  10  cook and the insert  150  slides downward relative to the tool  130 , the side guides  159  can help maintain balance of the insert  150  and alignment of the insert  150  relative to the tool  130  and/or basket  110 . For example, if two patties  10  are being cooked, if one patty  10  is larger and/or heavier than the other, one of the patties  10  may be shaped more quickly and easily than the other, and the wedges  154  may not advance into the troughs  114  evenly or simultaneously if not otherwise constrained. The insert  150  could therefore become askew and misaligned relative to the tool  130  and/or basket  110 . The side guides  159  help inhibit such imbalance or misalignment of the insert  150  as movement of the insert  150  relative to the tool  130  and/or basket  110  is constrained by mating of the peak  116  with the channel  155 . 
     As the insert  150  is advanced onto the tool  130  and basket  110  during cooking, the crossbar  162  of the locking mechanism of the insert  150  contacts the cross bar  138  of the tool  130 . The crossbar  162 , catches  160 , and sidearms  164  can then pivot (in either direction) about pivot points  166  so that the crossbar  162 , catches  160 , and/or sidearms  164  can slide past the crossbar  138 . The crossbar  162 , catches  160 , and sidearms  164  can also or alternatively be manually pivoted by the user via the pivot arm  168 . The crossbar  162  of the insert  150  is shorter than the crossbar  138  of the tool  130  such that the catches  160  also contact and slide past the crossbar  138 . The sloped sides of the triangular catches  160  can help the catches  160  slide past the crossbar  138 . Once the crossbar  162  and catches  160  have cleared the crossbar  138 , the crossbar  162 , catches  160 , and sidearms  164  pivot about the pivot points  166  back toward a central vertical position. Portions of the upper surfaces of the catches  160  are then disposed below the crossbar  138  of the tool  130  as shown in  FIGS. 15-18 . If a user pulls the insert  150  upward relative to and away from the tool  130  and basket  110 , the upper surfaces of the catches  160  contact the crossbar  138  of the tool  130  so that the tool  130  is also pulled upward and away from the basket  110  with the insert  150 . The locking mechanism therefore helps inhibit the insert  150  from being separated from or removed from the basket  110  separately from the tool  130 . The locking mechanism can serve as a safety mechanism and/or can help promote ease of use such that the insert  150  and tool  130  can be more easily removed together from the basket  110  when desired or required. 
     Once an appropriate cooking time has elapsed, the assembly is removed from the oil, the insert  150  and tool  130  are removed from the basket  110  (before or after removing the assembly from the oil), and the now cooked and shaped patties  10  are removed from the basket  110 . The cooked and taco shaped patties  10  can be filled with various fillings, as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . 
       FIGS. 19-22  illustrate alternative embodiments of the tool  230  and insert  250 . In this embodiment, rather than the centrally located posts  136  of tool  130 , tool  230  includes four posts  236 . Two posts  236  are located along each side of the tool  230 , with one positioned adjacent each receptacle  134 . Therefore, each receptacle  134  is positioned between two opposing posts  236 . Each post  236  includes a slot  237  extending downwardly from a top of the post  236 . As shown in  FIGS. 21-22 , the insert  250  of this embodiment includes a wedge  254  and a handle  256  extending upwardly from the wedge  254 . The insert  250  can also include an alignment projection  255  extending outwardly from each end of the wedge  254 . The wedge  254  is sized to slide between two opposing posts  236  to contact the patty  10  disposed in the receptacle  134  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The alignment projections  255  slide within the slots  237  of the opposing posts  236  to help properly align the wedge  254  with the patty  10  and basket  110 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , two inserts  250  can be assembled with the tool  230 , one aligned with each pair of opposing posts  236 . The inserts  250  can be separate from each other or may be temporarily or permanently coupled (e.g., via the handles  256 ). Separate inserts  250  can advantageously allow two patties  10  to be cooked and shaped in the system at different times. In other words, one patty  10  and insert  250  could be assembled with the tool  230  and basket  110  to begin cooking and shaping, and then a second patty  10  and insert  250  could be assembled with the tool  230  and basket  110  to begin cooking and shaping at a later time, e.g., while the first patty  10  is still cooking. 
     Although the example embodiments shown and described herein includes a basket  110  having six troughs  114 , the basket  110  could include only two troughs  114 —one to align with each of two receptacles  134 . Although the example embodiments shown and described herein includes two receptacles  134  and two corresponding wedges  154 , the basket  110 , tool  130 , and insert  150  can be scaled to include more receptacles  134  and corresponding wedges  154  to allow for more patties  10  to be cooked and shaped at once if desired. Although in the example embodiments shown and described herein the basket  110  includes troughs  114  and the insert  150 ,  250  includes wedges  154 ,  254 , in some embodiments, those features could be reversed such that the basket  110  includes wedges  154  and the insert  150 ,  250  includes troughs  114 . In other words, more generally, while in the illustrated embodiments the basket  110  acts as a female die and the insert  150 ,  250  acts as a male die, in other embodiments, the basket  110  can include features such that the basket  110  acts as a male die and the insert  150 ,  250  can include features such that the insert  150  acts as a female die. Furthermore, while the mating or engaging features of the male and female die are described as wedges and troughs in the example embodiments shown and described herein, other mating or engaging features that allow the insert  150 ,  250  to act as one of the male and female die and the basket  110  to act as the other of the male and female die are also possible. Although the mating features shown and described herein (the wedges  154  and troughs  114 ) are designed to form a patty  10  into a taco shape, the mating features can have other sizes, shapes, and/or configurations to form a patty  10  or other food item into another desired shape (e.g., a bowl shape). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 33-35 , in some embodiments, a system  300  for shaping a food item, such as the patty  10 , includes a basket  310  and an insert  350 . An exploded view of another example embodiment of the system  300  for shaping a food item is shown in  FIG. 33 . The embodiment of the illustrated system  300  is similar to the embodiment of the illustrated system  100  but is configured to shape four patties  10  using upper and lower troughs  314   a,    314   b.  The illustrated system  300  includes two primary components (the basket  310  and the insert  350 ). The insert  350  of the illustrated system  300  includes a segment  372  that is movable. In certain embodiments, the segment  372  is movable relative to at least another portion of the insert  350 . 
     In some embodiments, the system  300  does not include a tool  130 . In some embodiments, at least some features of the tool  130  are integrated in the basket  310  and/or the insert  350 . In some embodiments, the system  300  is configured to receive and cook more than two patties  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 35 , in some embodiments, the system  300  is configured to shape four patties  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 35 , in some embodiments, the system  300  is configured to shape both a first patty  10  and second patty  10  that is stacked above the first patty  10 . 
     While two stacks of two patties  10  are illustrated in the system  300 , the system  300  is not so limited and could shape more or less than two stacks of patties  10 . For example, embodiments of the system  300  can shape one stack of patties  10  or more than two stacks of patties  10 . In some embodiments, each stack of patties  10  includes more than two patties  10 . In some embodiments, each of the basket  310  and the insert  350  are configured to receive patties  10 . 
     Another example embodiment of the basket  310  is shown in  FIGS. 25-28 . In some embodiments, the basket  310  includes a base  312  having a frame  320 , at least one post  336 , and at least one trough  314 . The basket  310  can include one or more support bars  313  extending lengthwise along a bottom of the basket  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the basket  310  includes a handle  318  extending from one side or end of the base  312 . The basket  310  may include a hook  319  that contacts or engages a fryer during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook  319  extends from an opposite end of the base  312  from the handle  318 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , the at least one trough  314  can extend along the length of the basket  310 . The basket  310  can have one continuous trough  314 , one trough  314  that is segmented (e.g., separated in the middle), and/or more than one trough  314 . In some embodiments, a plane extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle  318  is parallel with a plane extending along a longitudinal axis of the trough  314 . The at least one trough  314  of the basket  310  can define the desired shape of the food item or patty  10  (e.g., a curved shell shape). The edges and/or top surface of the at least one trough  314  can be configured to support a food item or frozen patty  10 . For example, the edges of the at least one trough  314  can be a shelf for at least one patty  10  prior to cooking and shaping the at least one patty  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the basket  310  can include a channel  340  in each corner of the basket  310 . Each channel  340  can define a gap and include a base surface which can advantageously enhance the stability of the basket  310  and the ease of alignment and assembly of the basket  310  with other components. 
     In some embodiments, the basket  310  can include at least one post  336 . As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the basket  310  can include two posts  336 . The basket  310  can include a cross bar  342  extending between the two posts  336 . For example, as shown, the cross bar  342  can extend between lower ends of the posts  336 . The cross bar  342  can extend across the width of the basket  310  and connect to lateral sides of the frame  320  of the basket  310 . 
     In some embodiments, a length Lb (shown in  FIG. 27 ) of the frame  320  of the basket  310  is about 12¼ to 12⅝ inches and a width Wb of the frame  320  is about 6 inches. In some embodiments, an angle Ah 2  (shown in  FIG. 26 ) between an upwardly extending portion of the handle  318  and an outwardly extending portion of the handle  318  can be about 115°. 
     In some embodiments, a body of the handle  318  has a width Wh of about 1¼ inches. An enlarged distal portion of the handle  318  (positioned away from the body  312 ) may have a width Whm at its widest point of about 1⅞ inches. In some embodiments including the hook  319 , the hook  319  may extend a distance Dh of about 1 inch from an end of the frame  320 . In some embodiments, the width of the hook  319  Whh (shown in  FIG. 27 ) can be about 2¼ inches. In some embodiments, a full length Lbf of the basket  310  can be about 22½ inches. In some embodiments, a height Hb (shown in  FIG. 28 ) of the base  312  excluding the support bars  313  can be about 3½ inches. A full height Hbf of the basket  310  including the handle  318  and the support bars  313  can be about 9½ inches. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 25-28 , the posts  336  can be integral with the basket  310 . Each post can have a thickness Pt of about ⅞ inch. A height Hp (shown in  FIG. 26 ) of the post  336  can be about 5½ inches. 
     Another example embodiment of the insert  350  is shown in  FIGS. 29-32 . In some embodiments, the insert  350  includes a frame  352 , at least one wedge  354 , at least one trough  314 , and a handle  356 . The at least one wedge  354  can extend downwardly from each end of the frame  352 . The handle  356  extends upwardly from or adjacent to lateral sides of the frame  352  in certain embodiments. As shown, the handle  356  can include a first bar  356   a  and a second bar  356   b.  The second bar  356   b  is spaced from the first bar  356   a  along a length of the insert  350 . Each bar  356   a,    356   b  extends across a width of the insert  350 . The insert  350  includes a guide  358  positioned between the sides of the frame  352 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guide  358  is circular, although other shapes are also possible. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 29 , there is a gap Gw in the at least one wedge  354  of the insert  350  and/or a gap Gt in the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350 . 
     In some embodiments, the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350  is disposed beneath and aligned vertically with the at least one wedge  354 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , the at least one trough  314  can extend along the length of the insert  350 . The insert  350  can have a continuous trough  314 , a trough  314  that is segmented (e.g., separated in the middle), and/or more than one trough  314 . In some embodiments, a plane extending along a longitudinal axis of the at least one wedge  354  is parallel with a plane extending along a longitudinal axis of the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350 . The at least one trough  314  of the insert  350  can define the desired shape of the food item or patty  10  (e.g., a curved shell shape). The edges and/or top surface of the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350  can support a food item or frozen patty  10 . For example, the edges of the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350  can be a shelf for at least one patty  10  prior to cooking and shaping the patty  10 . The at least one trough  314  and the at least one wedge  354  of the insert  350  can be spaced apart, forming a gap defining the desired shape of the patty  10  between the trough  314  and wedge  354 . In some embodiments, the insert  350  can include a cross bar  344  extending across a width of the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350 . 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 29 , a plurality of side guides  359  can extend downward from opposing ends of the frame  352 . The side guides  359  can be located at or adjacent to each corner of the insert  350 . The side guides  359  can extend further downward or away from the frame  352  than the at least one wedge  354  and/or the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350 .The insert  350  is configured to move relative to the basket  310  in use. In some embodiments, the insert  350  is configured to slidingly engage the basket  310  in use. The insert  350  can include one or more features that can align with one or more corresponding features of the basket  310 . For example, in some embodiments, the side guides  359  of the insert  350  can align with and slidingly engage the channels  340  of the basket  310 . In some embodiments, the guide  358  of the insert  350  can align with and slidingly engage the posts  336  of the basket  310 . In some embodiments, in use, the handle  356  of the insert  350  can guide and/or engage the posts  336  of the basket  310 . These features can assist in guiding the components of the system  300  (the insert  350  and the basket  310 ) together and maintaining the positions of the components relative to one another. 
     In some embodiments, the entire insert  350  can be movable or slidable relative to the basket. In some embodiments, a movable portion  372  of the insert  350  can be movable or slidable relative to a fixed portion  370  of the insert  350 . In some embodiments, the fixed portion  370  of the insert  350  can include the handle  356 , the guide  358 , the side guides  359 , and the at least one wedge  354 . In some embodiments, the movable portion  372  of the insert  350  can include the at least one trough  314 , the cross bar  344 , and a plurality of collars  374 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 36-37 , the movable portion  372  can be slidably engaged to the fixed portion  370  of the insert  350 . The collars  374  of the movable portion  372  can be slidably engaged with a plurality of shafts of the fixed portion  370 . This allows the relative positions of the wedge  354  and trough  314  to vary. 
     In some embodiments, the insert  350  is sized and shaped to be assembled with the basket  310 . In some embodiments, the frame  352  can have a total length Li (shown in  FIG. 31 ) of about 12¼ inches. In some embodiments, the handle  356  can have a thickness measured along the length of the insert  350  Th (shown in  FIG. 30 ) of about 1⅜ inches. In some embodiments, the handle  356  can have a height Hih of about 5⅞ inches. In some embodiments, the handle  356  can span a distance Dih across the width of the insert  350  of about 3¾ inches. In some embodiments, the insert  350  can have a total height Hi (shown in  FIG. 32 ) of about 10 inches. In some embodiments, the insert  350  can have a total width Wi of about 5¾ inches. 
     In some embodiments, a method for using the system  300  includes loading patties  10  into each of the basket  310  and the insert  350 , at positions above the troughs  314  of the basket  310  and the insert  350 , respectively. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, the system  300  has two distinct levels of troughs  314  for retaining the patties  10 . In some embodiments, the two distinct levels of troughs  314  are stacked vertically. When the system  300  is assembled, the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350  will be referred to as the at least one upper trough  314   a  and the at least one trough  314  of the basket  310  will be referred to as the at least one lower trough  314   b  for ease of explanation. In some embodiments, the system  300  can have more than two distinct levels of troughs  314  for retaining the patties  10  (e.g., three stacked levels). In some embodiments, the shape, curvature, and/or diameter of the troughs  314  can be the same or similar at each level. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, the shapes or curvatures of the upper and lower troughs  314   a,    314   b  can differ. For example, the curvature of the upper trough  314   a  can be narrower or wider than the curvature of the lower trough  314   b.    
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 35 , the patties  10  can be placed directly in contact with the troughs  314 . A patty  10  is placed above the at least one trough  314  of the basket  310  and the at least one trough  314  of the insert  350 . The patties  10  may be placed in the system  300  prior to assembling the basket  310  and the insert  350  or after the insert  350  is assembled to the basket  310 . In some embodiments, the at least one patty  10  that is placed in the basket  310  rests above the at least one trough  314 . In some embodiments, the at least one patty  10  that is placed in the insert  350  rests between the at least one wedge  354  and the at least one trough  314 . As discussed above, the patties  10  can be provided frozen such that the patties  10  initially maintain their shape, e.g., round shape. The insert  350  is then guided onto the basket  310 . In some embodiments, the guide  358  of the insert  350  aligns with and slides along outer surfaces of the posts  336  of the basket  310  to help properly align the insert  350  relative to the basket  310  as shown in  FIG. 35 . In some embodiments, as the insert  350  is guided onto the basket  310 , the side guides  359  of the insert  350  align with and at least partially engage the channels  340  of the basket  310  to help properly align the insert  350  relative to the basket  310 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 35 and 38-39 , the patties  10  can be disposed between the at least one wedge  354  and the upper trough  314   a,  and between the upper trough  314   a  and the lower trough  314   b.  In some embodiments, there is a first gap between the wedge  354  and the upper trough  314   a  and a second gap between the upper trough  314   a  and the lower trough  314   b.  In some embodiments, each of the first and second gaps defines the desired shapes of the patties  10 . 
     In some embodiments, as the insert  350  is advanced downward relative to the basket  310 , a bottom surface ST 2  of the upper trough  114   a  will contact a top surface of the at least one patty  10  that was previously placed in the basket  310  (the patty  10  resting above the lower trough  314   b ). In some embodiments, the contact between the bottom surface ST 2  of the upper trough  314   a  and the top surface of the frozen patty  10  resting above the lower trough  314   b  prevents the insert  350  (including the movable portion  372  of the insert  350 ) from advancing downward any further relative to the basket  310  (until the patty  10  has been at least partially cooked and become softer and/or more pliable). 
     In some embodiments, the assembled basket  310  and insert  350  with patties  10  are placed in a cooking apparatus to cook the patties  10 . For example, the assembled basket  310  and insert  350  with patties  10  can be placed in a fryer containing hot oil. Alternatively, the basket  310  and insert  350  with patties  10  can be placed in an oven or microwave. As the patties  10  cook and soften, the weight of the insert  350  causes the wedge  354  and the upper trough  314   a  to push the patties  10  into the upper trough  314   a  and the lower trough  314   b,  respectively. The required or desired rate of the wedge  354  and the upper trough  314  pushing the patties  10  into the upper trough  314   a  and the lower trough  314   b,  respectively, and weight of the insert  350 , can be selected considering the effect of gravity. The weight of the insert  350  can be selected based on various factors, including, for example, one or more of: the food composition of the patties  10 , whether the patties  10  are frozen, the weight of the patties  10 , the thickness of the patties  10 , and the rigidity of the patties  10 . 
     As the patties  10  cook, the weight of the insert  350  shapes the patties  10  into the desired shape. In some embodiments, the shape is a curved, taco-like shape. In some embodiments, the shape is a circular shape or a rectangular shape. 
     In some embodiments, as the patties  10  become softer and/or more pliable, the insert  350  and/or the movable portion  372  of the insert  350  advances further downward relative to the basket  310 . The upper patty or patties  10  (the patties  10  loaded into the insert  350 ) are shaped during the cooking process by a bottom surface ST 1  of the at least one wedge  254  and a top surface SB 1  of the upper trough  314   a  and/or a gap between the surfaces ST 1  and SB 1  (shown in  FIG. 33 ). The lower patty or patties  10  (the patties  10  loaded into the basket  310 ) are shaped during the cooking process by the bottom surface ST 2  of the upper trough  314   a  and a top surface SB 2  of the lower trough  314   b  and/or a gap between the surfaces ST 2  and SB 2  (shown in  FIG. 33 ). 
     In some embodiments, the sizes of the gaps between the surfaces ST 1  and SB 1 , and between the surfaces ST 2  and SB 2 , are predefined. In some embodiments, the sizes of these gaps during the cooking process are a function of the properties of the patties  10  (e.g., thickness, composition, desired shape, etc.). As the upper patties  10  are cooked and shaped, the patties  10  at least partially conform to, or hug, the surface SB 1 . As the lower patties  10  are cooked and shaped, the patties  10  at least partially conform to, or hug, the surface SB 2 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 34 , when the assembly  300  is collapsed on itself, the cross bar  344  of the insert  350  abuts the cross bar  142  of the basket  310 , limiting movement between the insert  350  and the basket  310 . 
     Once an appropriate cooking time has elapsed in some embodiments, the assembly is removed from the oil, the insert  350  is removed from the basket  310  (before or after removing the assembly from the oil), and the now cooked and shaped patties  10  are removed from the basket  310 . In some embodiments, the patties  10  are then placed into curved holders to maintain the curved shapes of the patties  10 . The cooked and taco shaped patties  10  can be filled with various fillings. 
     Although this disclosure has been described in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. For example, features described above in connection with one embodiment can be used with a different embodiment described herein and the combination still fall within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the embodiments of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, or unless clearly incompatible, each embodiment of this invention may comprise, additional to its essential features described herein, one or more features as described herein from each other embodiment of the invention disclosed herein. 
     Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
     Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z. 
     Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, 0.1 degree, or otherwise. Additionally, as used herein, “gradually” has its ordinary meaning (e.g., differs from a non-continuous, such as a step-like, change). 
     The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.