Patent ID: 7536946

Claim:
A method of compiling and depositing a shingled array of a predetermined number of penetrable food items, using an engaging tool having a bracket arranged to couple the tool to a device for imparting controlled movement to the tool, preferably a programmable robot arm; a plurality of fixed penetration pins arranged to facilitate the capture of food items by impalement; a penetration pin support member attached to said bracket and to which are anchored said pins, said pins being arranged such as to extend away from said support member; an ejection member for interacting with said support member, having apertures through which said pins project, and means for imparting relative movement between the support member and the ejection member, said method including the steps of: a) presenting a plurality of food items on a substantially flat surface; b) positioning said tool above a first item such that two or more pins which are offset from the center of said array of pins are directly above said item; c) lowering said tool such that said offset pins are caused to penetrate substantially through said item thereby to capture it via impalement; d) raising said tool and said captured item and repositioning it above a second item, such that said first item is positioned above said second item in an offset manner, said offset distance being less than the dimension of the first item in the direction of offset; e) repeating steps c) and d) above until the predetermined number of items has been captured; f) positioning said tool above the destination of the array of items; and g) depositing said array by actuating said ejection plate in a downward motion to eject with an ejection member said array of said items from said pins as a group resembling a shingle.